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Chicago man gets 10 years in Pontiac parking lot shooting
By Tony Sapochetti
tsapochetti@pantagraph.com
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PONTIAC -- A Chicago man was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison in connection with a shooting in a grocery store parking lot.

Ronald Porter Jr., 20, was arrested July 12 after he fired a handgun toward four people in the County Market parking lot, 406 W. Madison St. Police said Porter fired five rounds before running to a nearby house, where he was later arrested.

Porter entered a blind plea of guilty in July.

Livingston County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bauknecht entered her ruling and agreed with Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Terry’s recommendation for sentencing. She said Porter’s actions have changed Pontiac residents’ attitudes toward security.

“Your actions have threatened the very safety of the community ... and people and employees are afraid to go to that grocery store,” Bauknecht said. “The fear that you have created in this community will not be healed quickly.”

Porter was charged with four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count each of disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card. His charges will run at the same time.

Porter’s father, Ronald Nance, and stepmother, Shereese Nance, testified Porter was not violent at heart and characterized as “mischievous” a past history that involved minor thefts, running away from home and setting fire to garbage on a porch.

They also said he had been in and out of programs and facilities that treat behavior disorders such as attention deficit disorder.

“He always happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Ronald Nance said. “He needs structure and he needs medicine. When he leaves a residence ... things crumble and fall apart.”

Porter said the gunshots only were meant to frighten the people involved. He felt threatened due to prior fights and felt his life was in danger.

“I never intended to hurt anybody,” Porter said. “I was trying to scare them away.”

“I’m really not violent,” he said. “I really want to get my life back on track.”

Bauknecht said she believed the incident was gang-related. Porter said he was not in a gang, but associated with some gang members.

A 14-year-old boy was found guilty during an adjudicatory hearing last week of five charges for his involvement. His charges stem from handing the gun to Porter. Sentencing was scheduled for October.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

iread2 wrote on Sep 9, 2008 6:15 PM:

" why do parents think their child could do no wrong!!!!! of course your child wouldnt shot at someone if your with him. "

Flood Of Truth wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Porter said he was not in a gang, but associated with some gang members...That makes him part of gang. They need to find his associates. 10 years? He will be out in 3 and more educated from more associates in the system. "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:00 PM:

" Do you think the parents really believed what they were saying? Or were they just trying to get less time in prison for their son? Because if they really believe what they said, they don't live in IL....they live in the State of Denial. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:57 PM:

" Wonder why none of our criminals get prosecuted this long or fast? This must be what happens when you have a COMPETENT States Attorney....It's been so long I've forgotten what it's felt like. "
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