FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A sentencing hearing was held Wednesday for a man who pled guilty to fatally shooting a Hollywood police officer.
In court was Jason Banegas, 22, who shot and killed Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino in October 2021.
The courtroom was full of Hollywood police officers, showing support for Chirino and his family.
No witnesses spoke for either side, but Banegas was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
Jurors previously recommended the life sentence for Banegas instead of the death penalty.
“We respect the jury’s decision, but we’re grateful for the judge’s decision today,” said Hollywood Police Department Chief Jeff Delvin. “We can all take a little comfort in knowing that he’s never gonna take a breath of free air again.”
Chirino was 28 years old when he was fatally shot while responding to call regarding a suspicious person along the 400 block of North Hills Drive in Hollywood.
Video footage captured from that night showed Banegas, who was 18 years old at the time, checking car doors to see if they were unlocked.
There was a struggle between Banegas and Chirino, with the former shooting the latter twice in the face while resisting arrest, police said.
Chirino joined HPD in 2017. Delvin said the department is focused on supporting his family.
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