VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The man charged in a Virginia Beach shooting that left four people hurt in March 2022 pleaded guilty in court Wednesday morning.
Earl Royster Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted malicious wounding and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. As part of his plea agreement, he faces a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years in prison.
He originally faced another firearm use count, but the courts agreed to nolle prossed it. That means the charge is withdrawn but can be brought back by prosecutors at a later time.
Royster will return to court to be sentenced on April 25.
Virginia Beach police said the shooting happened around midnight outside the Tavern on Cleveland Street, which isn't far from Virginia Beach Town Center.
The lead investigator on the case testified that surveillance video captured the shooting and showed Royster firing a gun.
Prosecutors said Royster told police an argument started outside between his nephew and others.
Royster reportedly told police - those other people had guns so he and his nephew went to their car across the street and got an assault rifle.
Prosecutors said Royster told investigators, he fired his gun first, and then others started shooting.
Nearby officers intervened, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.