Gabriel Wilson convicted of murder in 2021 shooting of Stop & Shop manager Ray Wishropp in West Hempstead
MINEOLA, N.Y. -- A guilty verdict came down Wednesday in a shooting at a Long Island supermarket two years ago.
The grocery manager died, and two others were hurt.
Wednesday, the convicted shooter's mother claimed he didn't have the mental capacity to stand trial.
It was a scene of panic when shots rang out inside a West Hempstead Stop & Shop on April 20, 2021. The identity of the gunman was no mystery. Employees knew Gabriel Wilson as the cart collector.
After less than five hours of deliberations, the jury found him guilty of attempting to kill two managers and the intentional murder of grocery manager Ray Wishropp.
"Do you have anything to say to this jury?" CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff asked Arthur Wishropp, the victim's uncle.
"Oh, they are wonderful, magnificent," he said.
"Justice is served," the victim's father said.
Ray Wishropp was the father of seven. His large extended family was stoic when the verdict was reached.
"He was just an amazing person and a day doesn't go by that ... we don't think about him, and a part of us is gone even with justice served today," said Alex Bernard, a cousin of the victim.
Wilson didn't deny he had asked a manager for a transfer to a store closer to his home, then returned to the store with a gun and opened fire.
His attorney argued he did not intend to kill, and Wilson's mother says the 33-year-old single father wasn't fit to stand trial.
"Everybody loves Gabe. Gabe doesn't bother anybody. He enjoyed his job at Stop and Shop," she said.
Shot in the head years ago, his mother says he lost part of his brain and she faults his lapse in care during COVID; she was recovering from an accident, unable to monitor his medication. She plans to appeal.
"His mental capacity ... he's like he's 9 years old," Wilson's aunt said.
"He was left in a house alone by himself no medical treatment, missing medication," Wilson's mother said. "We have to take more time and look into mental health, mental health issues and people with disabilities with traumatic brain injuries. You can't overlook that. My condolences and prayers go to the family."
"We don't have any hate in our heart. Our heart is full of grief. There is no room for hate," Bernard said.
Wilson's mother calls the case a tragedy for everyone.
The two injured victims testified they suffer with unending pain and deficits from shooting rampage.
Sentencing is June 8.
Wilson was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder involving two other managers who he was accused of shooting at but not hitting.
Stop & Shop released a statement saying in part, "Our thanks to the Nassau County Police Department for its swift and heroic actions two years ago that led to the arrest of Mr. Wilson and to the Nassau County District Attorney whose case was presented to the jury for determination. Our hearts remain with the family of the late Mr. Wishropp and our colleagues who survived the attack."
