PENSACOLA, Fla. — A Pensacola man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of attempted second-degree murder for a shooting that occurred in Pensacola in April.
Ryan Earl Seals, 18, was sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Judge Coleman Lee Robinson following his conviction by an Escambia County jury, said the Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit.
The trial lasted two days. Mr Seals was sentenced on February 9.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, on the afternoon of April 7, 2023, Mr Seals and two others shot handguns at a home on Potomac Drive in Mayfair. Reportedly, after the initial volley, the suspects drove around the block and returned to the residence.
Mr Seals reportedly fired an additional five times before driving away. During the hail of gunfire, a 28-year-old woman was shot in the head. Despite suffering a grievous and permanent injury, she survived, said the State Attorney’s Office.
Later that day, the suspect vehicle was located passing through Attucks Court. Mr Seals was said to be driving and reportedly led the police on a high-speed chase. After Mr Seals crashed the vehicle, police said fled on foot.
During the foot chase, Mr Seals was reportedly visibly armed with a firearm, which was recovered. Forensic testing confirmed this was the firearm used to shoot the five rounds in the Mayfair gunfire incident, the State Attorney’s Office said.
The jury also convicted Mr Seals of shooting from a vehicle, fleeing to elude law enforcement at high speed with lights and siren activated, and resisting an officer without violence.
Judge Robinson sentenced him to serve concurrent terms of incarceration for those counts.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Pensacola Police Department carried out the investigation and made the arrest. Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea prosecuted the case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.
