TACOMA, Nov 3: A gunman who told emergency dispatchers to “follow the screams” before wounding seven in a 2005 mall shooting rampage was sentenced to more than 160 years in prison.

Dominick S. Maldonado, 22, was convicted Oct 2, of 15 charges, including attempted murder, assault and kidnapping. He was sentenced on Friday to just over 163 years in prison, prosecutor Phil Sorensen said.

Four people were taken hostage during the Nov 20, 2005, shooting spree that lasted for several hours at the Tacoma Mall in this north-western city. The most seriously wounded victim was left partially paralysed.

Roberta Davis, who was shot in the leg, told Maldonado that he “shed innocent blood that day”, The News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

Maldonado said he’d been treated unfairly by the justice system, but also said he owed victims and others at the mall that day an apology.

“I do take full responsibility,” Maldonado said.

During trial, Maldonado’s defence argued he was in the throes of a mental disorder and should not have been held responsible for the assault. Prosecutors said Maldonado planned the attack for weeks.

—AP