A Trenton man was sentenced today to 30 to 60 years in state prison for the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mekhi Norman at a Morrisville night club.

Pedro E. Rodriguez, 29, entered guilty pleas before Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller to third-degree murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, possession of an instrument of crime, and four counts of recklessly endangering another person as part of a negotiated sentence.

The sentencing follows a tragic incident on August 29, 2024, at a night club in Morrisville, where Norman was shot while acting as a Good Samaritan.

During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Ed Louka played surveillance footage showing Rodriguez casually walking to his vehicle to retrieve a handgun, racking the weapon, and returning to the club entrance. Rodriguez then fired into the establishment where his nephew was engaged in a fight with security staff who were attempting to remove him.

Norman, an innocent bystander who had stepped forward to assist the staff during the altercation, was shot by the defendant.

In sentencing Rodriguez, Judge Liller noted that Norman died doing the right thing, stating that he was a hero that day and died trying to help others. Deputy District Attorney Louka further described Norman as a good father, a good son, and a good friend who died being a Good Samaritan.

The courtroom was filled with emotional testimony as Deputy District Attorney David O’Beirne read victim impact statements from Norman’s family and friends. His grandmother shared that he had a smile for everyone while his aunt lamented the loss of a young man whose life was just beginning, and friends described him as being practically family to them.

His mother, who read her impact statement in court, called her son a “gentle giant” with an enormous smile and personality to match. His stepmother said that Rodriguez’s reckless behavior “will leave a hole in our family for the rest of our lives.”

Those who spoke particularly mourned the fact that Norman would never see his daughter grow up, noting that his “precious little girl” meant the world to him. The mother of Norman's daughter also spoke, offering a heartbreaking account of their daily life, recalling how Norman would call his daughter every morning and every night. She told the court that their daughter still cries while waiting for those calls that will never come.

“While this sentence ensures that the defendant is held accountable for his senseless and violent actions, we know it cannot fill the void left in the lives of those who loved Mr. Norman," District Attorney Joe Khan said. "Our office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and honoring the courage of those who, like Mr. Norman, stand up for others in our community.”

During the investigation, detectives learned that an altercation occurred at the doorway of the establishment. Norman attempted to assist the staff when he was shot and did not know the shooter. The investigation revealed that 17 patrons and employees were inside the establishment at the time of the shooting.

Rodriguez fled the scene following the incident but surrendered to authorities later that day.

Rodriguez’s nephew, 22-year-old Kevin Perez of Trenton, entered a guilty plea last year to several counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment for assaulting staff just before the shooting erupted. He was sentenced to 10 to 23 months in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, followed by a year of probation.

This case was conducted by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, led by Detective Kelcy Pitts and retired Lt. Frank Groome, and Officer Mitchell August and the Morrisville Borough Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ed Louka, Deputy District Attorney David O’Beirne, and former Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org.