PebHmong Discussion Forum
Relationship => General Relationship => Topic started by: theking on April 16, 2026, 10:37:07 PM
-
Couple Got Back Together After Breakup, Then Planned Ambush Shooting of Her Male Friend
Brandon Pirela fired more than 20 shots at the victim after coordinating the attack with ex-girlfriend Arianna Gajraj, who later testified against him
A Florida man who reconciled with his ex-girlfriend went on to plot an ambush shooting targeting one of their friends — firing more than 20 rounds at the victim — and has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Brandon Pirela, 26, was sentenced Tuesday after a jury previously found him guilty of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit murder, according to a press release from the Lake County State Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said Pirela coordinated the attack with his ex-girlfriend and co-defendant, 23-year-old Arianna Gajraj, who helped set up the victim by sharing his location and assisting in the plan.
The shooting took place on Dec. 1, 2023, after the victim, Deon Ramlagan, picked up Gajraj under the pretense of talking to her about issues she was having with Pirela, according to WFTV, FOX 35 Orlando and the Daily Commercial.
While the two were sitting in a parked car in a Clermont neighborhood, a white sedan pulled up and the driver — later identified as Pirela — got out and opened fire, per the press release.
Brandon Pirela
Credit: Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office
Investigators recovered about 21 shell casings from the scene, and the victim's vehicle was struck roughly 13 times, with additional damage reported to a nearby truck and mailbox, the outlets reported.
Despite the barrage of gunfire, the victim was able to reverse his vehicle and flee the scene, later reporting the incident to police, authorities said.
Investigators said the attack was the result of a coordinated plan between Pirela and Gajraj, who had recently reconciled after a breakup. Messages between the two showed they discussed and developed a plan to kill the victim, including using Gajraj's presence to lure him to a specific location and sharing his whereabouts shortly before the shooting, as detailed in an arrest affidavit cited by Fox 35 and the Daily Commercial.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
The texts show the plan escalating over several hours. In one exchange, after Gajraj expressed hesitation, Pirela allegedly responded "no, he's dying tonight," per the affidavit.
Authorities also said Pirela had sent threatening messages to the victim in the days leading up to the shooting, per the outlets, accusing him of having a relationship with Gajraj.
Gajraj ultimately cooperated with prosecutors and testified against Pirela at trial. She previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison followed by six years of probation for her role in the plot, according to the state attorney's office.