Accused Pentagon Shooter Yonathan Melaku Pleads Guilty

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The man who shot bullets into the Pentagon, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and several military recruiting stations in Northern Virginia has accepted a plea agreement with the 25-year prison sentence.

The string of shootings occurred in the fall of 2010. Yonathan Melaku, 23, was arrested at Arlington National Cemetery in June of 2011 with a backpack that contained ammonium nitrate, which federal prosecutors characterized as "one of the most common components of homemade explosives." Also in that backpack were cans of spray paint.

Melaku admitted in court that it was his intention to use the spray paint to desecrate the gravestones of U.S. service personnel who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When investigators searched Melaku's home, they found a video recording of one of the shootings at the Marine Corps Museum. The video shows a car driving northbound on Interstate 95 with Arabic music playing loudly. A hooded man holds up a 9 mm handgun, then fires multiple rounds as the auto passes the museum.

The man shouts "Allahu Akbar" (God is great in Arabic) several times. Later in the video, the shooter pulls off his hood to reveal he is Melaku.

Melaku graduated from Edison High School in Fairfax County, Va. He was a reservist in the U.S. Marines. According to investigators, he was never deployed overseas.

Prosecutors believe Melaku acted alone. They did not indicate in court -- or outside with reporters -- what they believe Melaku's specific motive was.

By agreeing to a 25-year sentence, Melaku avoids a possible life term.