LANCASTER, Pa. — A man has been sentenced to 13.5 to 40 years in prison after admitting to a brutal shooting that left the mother of his young daughter critically injured during a custody dispute. Ezekiel Daniel Sanderful, 33, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault, with a Lancaster County judge emphasizing the severity of the crime.
The incident occurred on Dec. 9, 2024, when Sanderful lured the victim, Stacy Rodriguez, to his home in East Cocalico Township under the false pretense of retrieving their 3-year-old daughter. Once she arrived, Sanderful opened fire, shooting Rodriguez multiple times while their daughter watched in horror. Authorities reported that the assault left her with 19 gunshot wounds and significant long-term injuries, including permanent blindness in one eye and loss of motor function in her arm.
Rodriguez, recalling the traumatic experience during the sentencing, described the moment she realized her life was in danger. She recounted pleading for her life while hearing Sanderful reload his weapon. “You tried to violently execute me,” she stated in a powerful address to the court. Her testimony illuminated not just the physical toll of the attack but also the emotional scars left on her and their child.
The police responded to the scene shortly after the shooting, finding Rodriguez on the ground. Despite the severity of her injuries, she ultimately managed to survive and attended the sentencing with family support, underscoring a profound resilience in the face of trauma. Sanderful was arrested after he surrendered at the scene, and investigators later recovered the firearm used in the shooting.
Assistant District Attorney Jessica Collo highlighted the miraculous nature of Rodriguez’s survival, noting how her recovery journey included significant challenges. While Rodriguez has made strides, such as obtaining her driver’s license and securing a job promotion, the impact of her injuries remains a daily reality. She articulated her commitment to raising her daughter away from Sanderful, aiming to provide a nurturing environment free from violence.
Sanderful issued an apology in court, expressing a desire to make amends in the future. His guilty pleas effectively concluded the legal proceedings, allowing him to avoid a jury trial while admitting to the charges against him, including endangering the welfare of a child. The court imposed a minimum sentence of 13.5 years before he could be considered for parole, with the potential of serving up to 40 years for his crimes.
Judge Merrill Spahn noted the disturbing nature of the attack and emphasized the ongoing effects on Rodriguez and her family. Alongside his prison term, Sanderful was ordered to pay restitution exceeding $2,000, and he remains prohibited from contacting Rodriguez or their daughter.
As the legal chapter of this distressing case closed, Rodriguez and her daughter continue to navigate a future marked by the far-reaching consequences of the shooting, a stark reminder of the trauma they endured and the strength they must summon to heal.