Long Island teenager murdered after Macca's shift
Briana Soto had finished her shift at McDonald's and was walking home on March 26, 2024. The 17-year-old was just steps from her house in Long Island, United States, when she was shot by Troy Lamar Fox.
Ana Morales, Ms Soto's mother, had just hung up the phone with her daughter when she heard gunshots. Ms Morales called her daughter back immediately but a man answered instead, CBS reported.
Ms Soto died three days later in hospital, the LA Times reported.
Police said there appeared to be no connection between Ms Soto and her killer, who attempted to kill four people more two weeks later.
Six months after she was murdered, Fox was arrested. Police had video and phone evidence to identify Fox, as well as DNA evidence.
Fox, 34, was already in police custody for an unrelated weapons charge when he was arrested for gunning down Ms Soto.
During the trial, there was no evidence given for motive. The trial hinged on DNA evidence and Fox's ex-girlfriend identifying him from security camera clips near the shooting, Long Beach Post reported.
Fox also faced charges for attempted murder. On April 9, two weeks after he murdered Ms Soto, Fox opened fire on a car that had four people under 18 inside. Everyone survived.
Fox was found guilty of one count of murder, four counts of attempted murder and two counts of being a felon in possession of a fire arm.
Last week, he was sentenced to 358 years in prison.
'Briana Soto had her whole life ahead of her — she was getting ready for her prom, her 18th birthday, and graduation, Nathan Hochman, the district attorney, said, according to ABC 7.
'While this punishment cannot undo the pain he caused, it is a step toward justice for Briana, her loved ones, and our community.'
Ms Morales said last October that all she wanted was justice for her daughter.
Fox had a long criminal history that dated back all the way to 2013. It included criminal threats, grand theft, felony burglary and commercial burglary.
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ABC News
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Why is the Trump administration threatening to deport this Iranian man to Australia?
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Appeal after man's alleged lewd act in front of kids at Point Cook bus stop
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SBS Australia
2 hours ago
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'You could be a victim so easily': The dating apps being targeted by criminals
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"It makes me scared to be on dating apps and to meet people because you could be targeted … you could be a victim so easily". While Stuart showered, he was being robbed For Stuart (not his real name), the danger wasn't a violent ambush. It was quieter. He told The Feed he agreed to meet a man he'd spoken to from Grindr at a hotel, and immediately realised he was being catfished: the man didn't match his photos. "The question people have asked is, 'why did you go up with him?' … I thought 'whatever', even though I had red flags, I had alarm bells going off in my mind," Stuart said. What followed was a rushed hookup and an insistence that Stuart showered. And when Stuart got out, he realised his watch wasn't where he left it. "I said [to the man], 'where's my watch?' … He immediately bolts into the bathroom and brings me my watch." "And then I left. I felt very uncomfortable. I was so glad when the hotel door closed, I just wanted to get back," Stuart said. Despite his watch being returned, two days later, Stuart's bank called. "Almost $2,000 had been taken," Stuart said. Stuart believes the man had taken photos of his credit cards while he showered. And when he went to police, he said he discovered about 20 other men had been victims. "He'd been defrauding people [for years] … using Grindr for at least five or six years," Stuart said. NSW Local Court media told The Feed that a man was convicted in his absence earlier this year over the incident for dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and possessing identity information to commit an indictable offence. Why many victims stay silent Despite the growing list of victims, many incidents are never reported. Both NSW and Victoria Police said that crimes like these are "largely underreported" because of stigma, fear of outing, and distrust in police. "Many individuals decline to make statements or pursue charges because their families may be unaware of their sexual orientation," NSW Police told The Feed in a statement. "There is also a reluctance for victims to go to police because the sensitive nature of the crime." Police in NSW and Victoria told The Feed in the last year, there's been an increase in crimes against LGBTIQ+ people through the apps designed for them. Source: Getty When Stuart started discussing the experience in the community, he realised he wasn't alone. "So many people messaged me saying it happened to them too — but they didn't want to go to police … many feel too embarrassed … or may be in what on the surface are monogamous relationship … others may be in the closet," Stuart said. "I understand distrust of the police. I understand being in the closet feeling ashamed. And I did - I felt ashamed. I felt embarrassed. But I'm somebody who will speak out when I think something is wrong." Are dating apps doing enough? Jamaica believes the app companies themselves need to step up. "I definitely think verification of identity would be extremely beneficial," Jamaica said. Grindr offers resources such as a scam awareness guide to help users have a safer experience on the app and identify and avoid scams. "It's crazy that in the 21st century there's a level of this even happening at all." The Feed has approached Grindr for comment. The bigger picture Fortunately, Stuart got his money back, but the incident has left lasting consequences. "Since that meeting, I've barely met anybody, and I would be very concerned about meeting anybody … I'm very sceptical." Police are working with groups such as the LGBTIQ+ health organisation ACON to share safety messages on dating apps in locations of "concern", ACON told The Feed in a statement. "ACON and NSW Police are also working to raise awareness and suggest ways people can protect their own safety such as meeting in public, verifying identities, and sharing your location with trusted friends when meeting up with people from dating apps."
