Crystal Man Sentenced to 38.5 Years for Shooting Pregnant Mother, Gabrielle Dehoyos

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Crystal Man Sentenced to 38.5 Years in Prison for Shooting Pregnant Mother of Three in St. Paul

ST PAUL, Minn. — In a tragic incident that shook the community, a Crystal man, Paul Dwayne Harris, has been sentenced to 38.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to shooting Gabrielle Dehoyos, a 21-year-old pregnant mother of three, last March. The sentencing took place on Thursday in Ramsey County District Court.

The incident occurred on the evening of March 13, 2023, at the intersection of St. Anthony Avenue and Marion Street in St. Paul. Dehoyos was sitting in a car at a stoplight when another vehicle pulled up beside her. Harris, the driver of the second vehicle, opened fire, intending to shoot the driver of the car Dehoyos was in. Tragically, Dehoyos was struck by the gunfire instead.

Dehoyos was immediately rushed to Regions Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. However, doctors discovered no detectable brain activity, and she passed away the following day.

The person driving the car Dehoyos was a passenger in identified the shooter as a man known as “Pauly P.” Investigators looked through Facebook pictures and confirmed that Pauly P was indeed Paul Dwayne Harris. Initially denying his involvement in the shooting, Harris eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

During the sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were delivered by Gabby’s mother, Denise Dehoyos, and her sister, Charlotte. Denise tearfully described the heart-wrenching moment she received the phone call about her daughter being shot and recounted holding Gabby’s hand throughout the night after her surgery, desperately hoping for her recovery. Charlotte fondly remembered Gabby’s infectious laughter and the joy she brought into every room.

Gabby’s father directed his words towards Harris, expressing that while they are the ones left to live a life sentence without their beloved daughter, it should be Harris who bears the burden. He emphasized that he felt no sympathy for Harris and that they can neither forgive nor forget what happened.

Ramsey County District Court Judge Maria Mitchell handed down a 38.5-year prison sentence to Harris, with a minimum of 25 years to be served. Harris will receive credit for the 260 days he has already spent in jail.

Judge Mitchell expressed hope that during his time in prison, Harris would realize that his life is not over and would take advantage of the resources available for violence prevention and personal growth. She urged him to make amends to the Dehoyos family by living a better life.

However, Harris seemed unaffected by the statements, as he stood up in court and wildly flashed signs with his arms before being escorted out by deputies. This action led to a heated exchange between Harris’ supporters and members of Gabby’s grieving family.

This tragic incident has left a void in the hearts of Gabby’s family and the entire community. The sentencing of Harris brings a measure of justice, but the pain and loss experienced by Gabby’s loved ones will endure.

For more information on the case, please visit [link to original news article].

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