Ambush, Shootout Over High-End Shoes Leads To Man's Sentence In Loudoun

STERLING, VA — A shootout tied to a pair of high-end shoes led to a prison sentence for a man in Loudoun County.

Jacob McCormick previously pleaded guilty to charges of attempted malicious wounding and buying, receiving or aiding in the concealment of a known stolen firearm, according to Loudoun Now. Last Thursday, a judge in Loudoun County Circuit Court sentenced McCormick to six years of active prison time. The sentence was 15 years with nine years suspended, pending completion of five years of supervised probation upon release.

The fatal shooting happened on Sept. 1, 2023. The defendant, Jacob McCormick and the victim, Alex Cartagena, Jr., 18, of Sterling, were acquaintances and loaned the high-end shoes and a gun to a third acquaintance in early 2023, according to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney's office. In the next few months, McCormick started telling Cartagena that the items wouldn't be returned and they should respond. McCormick also shared these claims on social media.

In August 2023, prosecutors say McCormick and Cartagena started discussing "licks" and "pulling up on" the acquaintance, which refers to robbing or assaulting a person.

On the night of Sept. 1, 2023, prosecutors say McCormick and Cartagena had loaded guns and wore face coverings when they approached the third acquaintance and others. Loudoun Now reported that the incident happened outside the Stanford Square apartment complex in Sterling, where the McCormick and Cartagena followed the acquaintance to a nearby parking lot.

According to prosecutors, Cartagena fired three rounds, and a shootout ensued. Cartagena was killed in the shootout.

McCormick did not fire his weapon during the shootout but buried the gun on the apartment complex grounds afterward. McCormick told Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office detectives that he and Cartagena went there to "jump" their acquaintance, according to prosecutors.

"It is a senseless tragedy that ultimately ended in the loss of life. I would like to thank the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, who conducted a comprehensive investigation," said Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson in a statement.

Charges against the third person tied to the fatal shooting were dropped earlier in 2024 as the defense attorney claimed self-defense, according to the Loudoun Times.