WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Wilmington man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an attempted robbery that occurred when he was 17, according to the office of District Attorney Jason Smith.
Court officials said 18-year-old Rodrigo Torres entered guilty pleas on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and attempted discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling.
The charges are connected to a March 25 incident at a residence in the 5100 block of Carolina Beach Road. Deputies with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire and found multiple shell casings outside the home, along with several bullet holes in the exterior of the residence.
Investigators determined that Torres had arranged to purchase a THC cartridge from one of the residents, according to court records. When Torres arrived, authorities said he was accompanied by two masked individuals.
Prosecutors stated that Torres displayed a firearm and attempted to take the cartridge. The residents retreated inside the home and contacted 911. As Torres and the others fled the area in a vehicle, investigators said multiple shots were fired, striking the home.
Torres was sentenced to 64 to 101 months in prison.
In a statement, District Attorney Smith emphasized the seriousness of youth violence, noting that firearm-related crimes can have lasting consequences for victims, offenders, and the community. He said his office remains focused on accountability and prevention efforts aimed at reducing violent crime among young people.
