Shooting suspect sentenced

by Elizabeth Cook

One of the suspects involved in the October shooting outside of Leaning Tower of Pizza was sentenced for second-degree murder July 13 at Hennepin County court.

Saroun Sareth pleaded guilty June 21 to the second-degree murder of Edward Rajual Howard Reynolds of Minneapolis.

At the sentencing, Reynolds’ mother, fiancee and the mother of two of his children talked about the effect Reynolds’ death has had on them and their families.

Reynolds was the father of six children who range in age from 8 years old to 9 months old.

After his family spoke, the judge sentenced Sareth to nine years and seven months. He must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence and pay as much as he can for counseling for Reynolds’ fiancee and children. He and co-defendant Vilaysack Sirimanothay, the other suspect in the shooting, will also pay funeral expenses once Sirimanothay is sentenced.

Investigators believe Sareth drove Sirimanothay to and from the scene.

Sirimanothay, who investigators believe pulled the trigger in Reynolds’ murder, pleaded guilty to second-degree unintentional murder in April. He was scheduled for sentencing last week, but the judge did not accept a plea agreement asking for a 12-year prison sentence.

A spokesman for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said Sirimanothay’s sentencing is now scheduled for Monday.

Sirimanothay’s defense lawyer was not available for comment.