Everett teenager sentenced to 17 years for shooting two teens over the color of one's shorts

EVERETT, Wash. -- An Everett teenager was sentenced Thursday to 17 years in prison for shooting a brother and sister last September because the boy was wearing blue shorts, which he took for a rival gang's color.

Sylius St. Amie, who was 17 at the time of the shooting but charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault.

Investigators said St. Amie admitted to being a gang member and that he confronted the boy for wearing a rival gang’s color, but neither of the two victims had any connection to gangs.

The shooting happened Sept. 3 after school hours near Mariner High School and Discovery Elementary School.

According to charging documents, the 17-year-old male victim was struck three times, and his 14-year-old sister was shot once when she rushed to his aid. The boy was taking his sister to dance practice for her upcoming Quinceanera at the elementary school.

The two teenage shooting victims have recovered from their injuries and have since returned to school.