Devennice Gaines, 37, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for shooting and killing Bruce Price, 40, at an after-hours party. In April, a jury convicted Gaines of two counts of murder in the second degree and unlawful possession of a firearm.

“Gang violence is down in Pierce County,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, “but there is still work to do.”

On April 15, Gaines and the victim attended a party at a warehouse-style building in downtown Tacoma. During the party, Gaines got into a physical altercation with another man who was in a wheelchair. The party broke up and as they walked toward their cars, the victim criticized Gaines for fighting with the man in the wheelchair. The defendant and victim were approximately five feet apart when Gaines pulled out a gun and shot the victim multiple times in the chest and arms. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Gaines is affiliated with a Blood street gang from Seattle. He has prior convictions for manslaughter, robbery, assault, and drug and firearm offenses. The victim was reportedly affiliated with a Tacoma rival gang set, the Hilltop Crips.