Former employee convicted in deadly shooting of Stop & Shop manager on Long Island in 2021
MINEOLA, Long Island (WABC) -- A former employee who killed the manager of a Stop & Shop on Long Island two years ago was convicted of murder Wednesday, but was also acquitted of two other charges.
Gabriel Wilson, 33, has been found guilty of 2nd degree murder in the shooting and a slew of other charges, but was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder.
Wilson opened fire at the West Hempstead store on April 20, 2021.
Prosecutors say Wilson walked into the manager's office and shot two people before shooting Ray Wishropp as he ate lunch. The 49-year-old father of seven was killed.
"Disgruntled employee Gabriel Wilson entered the West Hempstead Stop and Shop with a loaded semi-automatic gun and the intent to kill," DA Anne Donnelly said. "The defendant went into an office on the second floor, pointed his weapon at two coworkers and struck both of them. He then proceeded to another room where he encountered 49-year-old Raymond Wishropp, the grocery manager who was eating a sandwich on his lunch break, and shot the man directly in the chest at point-blank range. Gabriel Wilson calmly left the building and walked to Hempstead where he was subsequently arrested due to the brave police work of the Nassau County and Hempstead police departments. This defendant has shown zero remorse for his actions. We thank the jury for their service and our thoughts are with Ray's many family members, friends, and longtime coworkers - many of whom attended the trial - as they continue to mourn his senseless loss."
The jury deliberated for less than six hours before delivering their verdict.
The pain was still raw Wednesday for Wishropp's family.
"We don't have any hate in our heart, our heart is full of grief," said his cousin Alex Bernard. "There's no room for hate."
Wishropp's uncle expressed relief.
"We thank the justice department, and the police department, because without them, this wouldn't be possible," he said.
Wilson's mother said her son was not mentally fit to stand trial.
"My son is a good person, has a brain injury, he's missing 60 percent of his brain," she said. "He had 24 hours of medical supervision. When COVID came they left him alone by himself."
But the Wishropp family said a gaping hole is left for all of them.
"Justice was served. it's not going to bring my cousin back," Bernard said. "His daughters are graduating this year. She's going to have to graduate without her dad there. Unfortunately, that's the end of it, we're moving on."
Stop and Shop released a statement saying, "Our hearts remain with the family of Ray Wishropp and our colleagues who survived the attack."
Wilson's mom wants to appeal the case. He faces a potential maximum of 90 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced on June 8.
WATCH | Wishropp's daughters speak exclusively with Eyewitness News
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