20-year-old sentenced to 19 years in prison for killing man at Auburn, WA gas station

Today, a judge sentenced the 20-year-old who shot and killed a man near a gas station in Federal Way to a little more than 19 years in prison. Fox 13's Shira Matsuzawa has a look at the emotional day in court as the victim's mother shared what the last three years has been like without her son. For three years, loved ones of Donald Harris, known as Donnie to friends and family, have been fighting for what's on their shirts. On Friday, they got what they've been seeking, justice for Donnie. My baby's free. My family can now breathe. We can be free and be at peace. On July 15th in 2023, surveillance video captured Harris sitting alone near a gas station when Taryn Forks, who was 17 years old at the time, pulled up in a stolen Kia. Video shows Forks shooting Harris twice. We've paused the video moments before Harris is shot. Investigators say he wasn't armed and didn't know Forks. Because of his actions, I cannot sleep most nights. All I see is the terror in my son's eyes when he saw that gun pointed at him. I didn't just lose my brother. I lost a piece of my childhood, a piece of my heart, and a piece of the future I thought we would share. Forks showed little emotion Friday, but addressed the court and the Harris family. To the family who lost their dearly beloved, I want to give you my most sincere apology for my reckless mistake. That has brought both of our families so much pain. The judge then sentenced Forks to 19 years in prison. This is a very difficult, troubling case. I think some words that describe aspects of the case are that it is absolutely heartbreaking, it's senseless, it's disturbing, and it's tragic, deeply tragic. While Forks will spend that time in prison. I never even got to say goodbye. My world is completely shattered. Harris's mom, Deborah, says she's now living a life sentence. Yeah, a life sentence of grief.