Local

Man gets life sentence; Apologizes to victims' family for 2013 killings

NOW PLAYING ABOVE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A judge sentenced an 18-year-old man to life in prison for a 2013 crime spree in Osceola County that left two dead.

Konrad Schafer, 18, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of first-degree murder.

Schafer could have been sentenced to 40 years in prison, but instead the judge gave him two consecutive life sentences, one for each first-degree murder charge.

Schafer fatally shot David Guerrero, 17, who was on his way to catch a bus for work on June 26, 2013 in Kissimmee. A few days after the killing, Schafer and three of his friends -- David Damus, Victoria Rios and Juan Muriel -- forced their way into Eric Roopnarine’s Poinciana home where the 22-year-old was shot and had his throat slit.

Schafer apologized to the victims' families Friday.

"I was 15 at the time. I'm really sorry for the things I’ve done and I know they were wrong and I know my apology (doesn’t) mean a thing to you. I know it (won’t) change how you feel about me,” Schafer said.

Kripanand Roopnarine, Eric Roopnarine's grandfather, said Schafer's apology was not the way to apologize to someone. Delores Horne, the victim's aunt, said she wished she could take Schafer out back and "hold a gun to (his) head so (he) would know how Eric felt." She said Schafer is worse than an animal.

“Maybe someday we'll know why people like Mr. Schafer exist, but for the safety of this community, under that answer is known, Mr. Schafer can't be free,” said prosecutor Jeff Ashton.

Damus was found guilty of first-degree murder in Roopnarine's death. %

INLINE

%

Rios, who was 17 at the time of the killings, is awaiting trial.

Muriel was promised a 10-year prison sentence in exchange for his testimony against the others.

The deaths took place during a 15-day spree of 22 shootings in Osceola County. The shootings left homes and cars riddled with bullets.

Schafer will have a hearing in 25 years for both murders. That means that in 2041, he could have his sentence reduced. %

INLINE

%

Authorities said Schafer had convinced his father to buy him a gun and 100 rounds of ammunition. Investigators said Schafer waited until his father went to bed, took the gun out of the house and went on the crime spree.

Schafer's mother testified that fighting leukemia hardened him and made his temper worse when he was a young child.

Schafer's father, Lothar Schafer, pleaded no contest to a gun charge last year and was given four months in the Osceola County Jail and two years of probation.

0