Allen Ivanov, who fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and two men and wounded two others during a house party in Mukilteo, Washington, last July, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after a sentencing hearing where family members and friends testified about his actions.
Ivanov offered several explanations for why he opened fire at the house party and apologized to the families and friends of his victims, which included Anna Bui, Jordan Ebner, and Jake Long, as well Will Kramer, who was critically wounded, The Seattle Times reported.
In his statement, Ivanov said guns were very easy to get and that “Satan was in control that night,” the Times reported. “I want to apologize wholeheartedly to all those whose lives I’ve taken,” he added.
The shooting took place after attempts to reconcile with Bui failed and he followed her to the party. He spent two hours in his car studying the owner’s manual for the AR-15 he used in the killings before shooting the victims, The Seattle Times said.
He left the party when he ran out of ammunition but was arrested 90 minutes later by Washington State Troopers.
Although Ivanov expressed remorse, he is said to have bragged about the crimes through rap lyrics while in prison, the Times reported.
Ivanov pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder to avoid the death penalty. He received life in prison without possibility of release.