Penalty phase underway for Anthawn Ragan Jr. in 2013 Miami-Dade robbery that killed 10-year-old

A judge is weighing death versus life in prison after a robbery shooting that killed Aaron Vu

A Miami-Dade judge is preparing to decide whether Anthawn Ragan Jr., 31, will be sentenced to death or receive another life term for the killing of 10-year-old Aaron Vu during a 2013 armed robbery at the boy’s family business in North Miami.

The case is in its penalty phase, a proceeding held after guilt has already been established. The courtroom focus has shifted from what happened to what punishment is legally appropriate under Florida’s capital sentencing framework.

What prosecutors said happened in November 2013

During the robbery, two armed men entered the family’s salon and demanded money. Aaron’s father, Hai Vu, handed over about $300. Prosecutors said he was pistol-whipped and that shots were fired, striking both the father and the child. Aaron died from his injuries; his father survived.

As part of the penalty presentation, prosecutors also outlined other violent crimes they said Ragan committed in the same month in 2013. The state argued that the pattern of violence and the circumstances of the child’s death meet the statutory criteria for a death sentence.

Victim impact and defense mitigation presented to the court

The boy’s parents addressed the court during the proceedings. In victim impact statements, Aaron’s mother described the lasting consequences of the loss and asked the court to impose accountability for what was taken from the family.

Aaron’s father, Hai Vu, also spoke in court and said he forgave Ragan, describing forgiveness as consistent with what he believed his son would have wanted.

The defense urged the judge to spare Ragan’s life. The defense presented evidence and testimony aimed at mitigation, including arguments involving mental health and personal history. Prosecutors challenged the mitigation case, including testimony that addressed whether symptoms were being exaggerated.

The judge must decide between a death sentence and life imprisonment after reviewing evidence, arguments, and required legal filings.

Key dates and what comes next

• Nov. 22, 2013: The robbery and shooting that killed 10-year-old Aaron Vu.
• March 10, 2026: The court is scheduled to reconvene, with the judge expected to set a date for issuing the sentencing decision.

Under Florida law, death sentencing has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the threshold for jury recommendations in capital cases and the judge’s role in imposing sentence. In this case, the final determination will be made by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez after the parties submit additional legal filings and the court sets the schedule for the decision.

Ragan is already serving a life sentence in a separate 2013 homicide case. The outcome of the current penalty phase will determine whether he receives an additional life term or a death sentence for Aaron Vu’s killing.