Man gets 35 years after shooting trooper who pulled him over for not wearing seatbelt

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A man will spend 35 years in prison for shooting a state trooper who tried to stop him in for not wearing a seat belt last year in Rock Hill.

Dashcam video shows Willie Wright shooting at Trooper Paul Wise at the end of India Hook Road following a chase in June 2019.

[PAST COVERAGE: Man accused of shooting state trooper in Rock Hill indicted on federal weapons charges]

The armor-piercing bullet shot through the windshield, Wise’s ballistic vest and stopped before entering his chest. The prosecutor said the windshield likely saved Wise’s life.

Wise fired back at Wright, who was also injured.

Wright pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted murder and was sentenced.

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“I wish I could have made a better decision, but I didn’t,” Wright said. “And I have to live with it. And I just hope one day he can forgive me.”

Wright also faces another 10 years on a federal charge for being a felon and having the gun involved in the shooting.

The sentence could be added to his current one.

Prosecutors say man used bullets known as "cop killers" to shoot SC trooper Prosecutors say man used bullets known as "cop killers" to shoot SC trooper

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