Angel Carlo was convicted by a jury on March 16 in the 2014 shooting in Newark
NEWARK -- As he sentenced Angel Carlo on Monday to 18 years in state prison for trying to kill a man in a 2014 Newark shooting, Superior Court Judge John Zunic noted the irony of Carlo's names.
His given name is Angel, but his nickname is "Rage," the judge said.
"It's polar opposites," said Zunic, adding that "it's unfortunate that you chose to act like your nickname as opposed to your given name."
Carlo, 30, of Newark, received the sentence in light of his conviction by a jury on March 16 on attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in connection with the Oct. 29, 2014 incident.
Carlo must serve slightly more than 15 years before becoming eligible for parole and he will receive credit for nearly a year and a half of time served.
The shooting occurred hours after Carlo and the victim got into an argument that resulted in a fistfight, authorities said. Later that day, when they ran into each other in the 600 block of Broadway in Newark, Carlo opened fire on the 22-year-old Newark man, authorities said.
Authorities said Carlo fired at the victim seven times and struck him three times, but the man survived his injuries.
Carlo has two prior felony convictions -- one for robbery and one for possession of drugs in a school zone, authorities said. He was released from state prison about six months before the shooting, Zunic said.
During Monday's hearing, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman, who tried the case with Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Allison Korodan, told the judge that "if it weren't for Mr. Carlo's terrible aim, this would be a homicide."
"When you fire a gun seven times at someone from that proximity, you are putting their life squarely at risk," said Feldman, who requested a 25-year prison sentence for Carlo.
Carlo declined to make a statement during Monday's hearing.
But his attorney, Ann Sorrel, said Carlo maintains his innocence and claimed the victim was "confused and mistaken" in identifying Carlo as the shooter. Sorrel asked Zunic to impose the minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
"He did not have a gun," Sorrel said. "He did not shoot the gun."
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.