By Police1 Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two police officers who were shot two decades ago were surprised to find that the shooter has been made eligible for early parole.
KCTV reports that Officers Pat Brown and Brian Schoen were shot during an encounter with Saeed Aquil and a teenager on New Year’s Eve 1994. Both officers were wearing ballistic vests and were shot in the chest by Aquil.
They returned fire and shot Aquil twice. He survived and was convicted of two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and two counts armed criminal action. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison, making him eligible for parole in 2037.
But Brown and Schoen received a letter from the Department of Corrections that stated Aquil’s first parole hearing had been moved up to 2008.
Aquil was also surprised to learn that he was up for parole over 20 years early, but believes he should be let out.
The officers disagree, stating that they firmly believe Aquil meant to kill them.
The Missouri DOC declined a request to comment, saying the case is not open public record.