Franklin County, VA – Qu-Shawn Manns, the man charged in connection with a shooting that led to the death of one brother and the injury of another, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court, bringing closure to a case that had been unresolved for years.
Manns, 28, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of probation and a lifetime of good behavior.
This plea closes the tragic case of Justin Prillaman, Manns’ lifelong friend, who was fatally shot in July 2020. The incident also left Prillaman’s brother injured.
The shooting took place on Salthouse Branch Road in Franklin County. On the evening of the incident, law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired. Officers arrived to find both brothers shot; Justin Prillaman did not survive the attack.
Manns, along with five other individuals, was initially charged in the murder case. Although Manns was found guilty on multiple charges related to the shooting in 2022, a mistrial on the murder charge left the case in legal limbo for years, creating ongoing uncertainty for the Prillaman family.
The guilty plea offered the Prillaman family a sense of justice and resolution. Manns’ conviction means he faces a long prison sentence, which ends a painful chapter for the community and family.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office thanked the public for their patience and support as they worked through the complex legal process to bring the case to a close.
