Former Dean of Students to Serve More Than Two Decades for Trying to Kill Student

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Shaun Harrison was sentenced to serve between 23 and 26 years for trying to kill an English High School student he was supposed to be a mentor to -- and instead recruited him to sell marijuana in 2015.

On May 31st, Harrison was found guilty of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, and two counts each of unlawful possession of a rifle or shotgun and unlawful possession of ammunition.

One day later, Judge Christopher Muse handed down a sentence of 23 to 26 years in state prison followed by five years of probation, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.

As the dean of students at English High School, Shaun Harrison ingratiated himself to an at-risk 17-year-old in 2015. When the teenager's drug sales were lackluster Harrison tried murdering the student.

The victim's aunt spoke before Harrison was sentenced.

“You hear about gun violence almost every day and we turn a blind eye.  It never really affects you until someone you love has fallen victim,” she said.  “You can only imagine how I felt when I learned this had been done by someone he trusted.  Someone society knew as a dean, a counselor, a pastor.  We send our children to school in hope they are inspired to learn more, to do better, to be better. To reach for the stars and then some, because not even the sky is the limit when there are foot prints on the moon… Shaun Harrison almost took that opportunity away from this wonderful young man.  Key word ‘almost.’”

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