The Associated Press

NEWBURGH - A teenager has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting two young women and wounding five other people during a Halloween party last year.

Nija Johnson, 17, pleaded guilty Thursday in Orange County Court to two counts of second-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder, according to an announcement from Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.

He admitted to opening fire during a party being held Oct. 30 in Newburgh. Eighteen-year-old Omani Free and 20-year-old Tabitha Cruz were killed.

Johnson was taken into custody in Richmond, Virginia, a week after the shooting. He faces 40 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors say security video at the party venue showed Johnson opened fire with a .40-caliber pistol with an extended 20-round magazine. Authorities say none of the victims were his intended target.

“The loss of two innocent young women’s lives, and the serious injuries suffered by five other young people caused by this defendant’s senseless shooting is almost incomprehensible,” Hoovler wrote in a statement. “The climate which gives rise to some tolerating, or even encouraging, this type of senseless violence must stop. My office, and our law enforcement partners, will investigate and prosecute all who are associated in any way with this type of violence.”