Fairfax County, VA – A Virginia man who shot his girlfriend and repeatedly lied about the circumstances will remain behind bars after being convicted of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony, officials said.
Incident Overview
Huy “Max” Nguyen, 47, was found guilty in the death of 38-year-old Alison “Kate” Laporta, his girlfriend of about a year. On the night of April 17, 2024, Laporta was shot in the upper body. Nguyen transported her to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, where police officers contacted him. Laporta was later transferred to another hospital and pronounced dead.
False Accounts and Investigation
Initially, Nguyen claimed the shooting was accidental, stating the couple had been in a parking lot in Annandale when a stray bullet hit Laporta.
“Detectives disproved that allegation,” police said.
Further investigation revealed that Nguyen shot Laporta inside the SUV he used to bring her to the hospital. The firearm used in the shooting was found near Nguyen’s home, and four bullet casings were recovered from the driver’s side of the SUV, with additional casings found in her purse and the back seat.
Changing Stories During Trial
During his jury trial, Nguyen repeatedly changed his account. He claimed Laporta tried to shoot him and that she accidentally shot herself. His defense also presented hundreds of pages of her prior medical records from 2022, related to an alleged mental health crisis.
Prosecutors countered these claims, calling witnesses who were with the couple at a pool hall on the day of her death.
“The only way this argument ends is with a bullet,” one witness recalled Nguyen saying that day.
“I’m going to shoot this girl,” he reportedly added.
Evidence Confirming the Murder
Authorities highlighted multiple pieces of evidence pointing to Nguyen as the shooter:
- Trajectory of the bullet
- Firearm imprint on Laporta’s seatbelt
- Recovery of bullet casings inside the SUV and her purse
“Evidence presented at trial showed that Mr. Nguyen was the one who pulled the trigger while they were both seated in Kate’s car,” said the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Family Reaction
Laporta’s father spoke after the verdict:
“That didn’t heal anything, you know. He’s going to jail, but I still don’t have my daughter. She was a mom of two … she was close to her grandmother, she loved her kids, she loved her friends, she loved herself. She wanted to be here on earth.”
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano added:
“Max Nguyen’s needless actions stole a daughter from her parents and a mother from her children. I hope that this conviction can bring some measure of closure to Kate’s family.”
Lies and Legal Proceedings
Investigators said Nguyen told more than 400 lies during the probe into Laporta’s death. Nguyen is scheduled for sentencing in February and could face up to 40 years under Virginia law for second-degree murder.
Conclusion
The conviction brings justice for Kate Laporta after a tragic loss caused by Nguyen’s deliberate actions and repeated deceit. Authorities continue to urge individuals to be vigilant about domestic violence and to report suspicious behavior to prevent similar tragedies.
What are your thoughts on this case? Share your views in the comments below.
