Eugene Robertson, a 40-year-old man convicted of a series of violent crimes on the night of October 17, 2022, has been sentenced to 143 years in prison. The sentencing, announced on Thursday by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office, brings closure to a string of events that terrorized the Denver suburb of Aurora.
The terrifying spree began at a Burger King drive-thru when Robertson pointed a gun at an employee after the worker refused to accept drugs as payment. The incident marked the beginning of a night of violence that left multiple people fearing for their lives, although, fortunately, no one was physically injured.
After leaving the Burger King, Robertson entered a nearby convenience store, where he escalated his actions by pointing a gun at the clerk’s head. According to prosecutors, Robertson fired at the store’s surveillance camera before turning his weapon on two individuals in the parking lot. He then fled the scene, continuing his night of terror.
Robertson’s erratic behavior was reportedly unsettling to those he encountered. According to *The Sentinel Colorado*, a witness at the convenience store noted that Robertson appeared disturbed, talking about God and carrying a Bible with a purple cover.
Later that same evening, Robertson’s actions turned personal when he arrived at the apartment of a female friend. When she refused to open the door, Robertson fired shots at the residence, where several people were present. The woman then called 911, alerting authorities to the escalating situation.
Police quickly responded to the scene, locating Robertson hiding behind bushes at the apartment complex. He was apprehended without incident and later charged with a total of 17 crimes, including eight counts of attempted murder.
In April 2023, a jury found Robertson guilty on all counts. While the potential maximum sentence exceeded 400 years, the judge ultimately imposed a 143-year sentence, with the penalties for many of the crimes being stacked consecutively.
“We consider this 143-year sentence justice for the multiple victims he put in fear that night. Jurors recognized the severity of the crimes this defendant committed. We believe the judge imposed an appropriate sentence,” said Eric Ross, spokesperson for 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner.
Source: Associated Press
