The man responsible for the deaths of two beloved Portsmouth restaurant employees has pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter with a firearms specification according to our sources at the courthouse.
Anthony Kearns, 25, of Portsmouth will spend a total of almost 30 years in jail with limitations on his ability to receive parole. His official sentencing has been set for July 12th at 2 pm. The sentencing arrangements were included with the plea deal.
Kearns was on parole for a 2017 robbery, when the deadly double shooting happened in Portsmouth back on November 20. You’ll remember Kearns evaded capture for an extended period of time. He was ultimately located in Jackson County.
Abraham Velasco and Xavier Luna were gunned down not far from the restaurant in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Their colleagues at Toro Loco remembered them fondly, saying, “Today we are in mourning, we have lost two great friends, coworkers, they will see how brothers today they beat us to it and we only have to ask God for their eternal rest from Abraham Velasco and Xavier Luna that they find peace.”
No one else was charged in connection with the shooting.
