Franklin County, VA – Qu-Shawn Manns, the man charged in connection to a shooting that left one brother dead and another injured, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Franklin County Circuit Court on Wednesday, bringing a long-awaited conclusion to a case that had lingered in the courts for years.
Manns, 28, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of probation and lifetime good behavior.
This decision closes the chapter on the tragic death of Justin Prillaman, Manns' lifelong friend, who was fatally shot in July 2020. The shooting, which occurred on Salthouse Branch Road, also left Prillaman’s brother injured.
The incident unfolded on the evening of July 2020, when the Franklin County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of shots fired.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered both Justin Prillaman and his brother had been shot. Tragically, Justin Prillaman did not survive.
Manns, along with five other individuals, was initially charged in connection with the murder. Although Manns was found guilty of multiple charges related to the shooting in 2022, a mistrial on the murder charge left the case unresolved for Prillaman’s family, leaving them in legal uncertainty for years.
Wednesday’s guilty plea brought a finality to the case, delivering some measure of justice to the Prillaman family and the Franklin County community.
With his conviction, Manns is now facing a lengthy prison sentence, ending a long period of legal limbo for those impacted by the crime.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office expressed their gratitude for the support and patience of the community as they worked through the legal process to bring the case to this resolution.