A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting a woman ten times in the back while he was out on pretrial release for a prior gun case dating back to 2021.
Authorities reported that Karon Brunt, 31, opened fire on a 28-year-old woman shortly after 1:30 a.m. on May 23, 2021, in the vicinity of South Prairie Avenue. At the time, Brunt was already facing legal issues related to another firearm incident and had a history of two felony gun convictions.
According to the prosecutors, the victim noticed a firearm visibly tucked in Brunt’s waistband. As she attempted to walk towards her vehicle while recording a Snapchat video, he unexpectedly drew his gun and shot her ten times from behind.
The gunfire impacted her thigh, lower back, buttocks, and spine, resulting in critical injuries. Following the incident, she was able to identify Brunt in a photo identification.
Brunt was found guilty by a jury in August on counts of attempted murder, aggravated battery involving a firearm, and being an armed habitual criminal.
In court on Friday, Cook County Judge James Obbish sentenced Brunt to 34 years for the attempted murder charge, which was combined with the aggravated battery charge for sentencing. Additionally, he received a consecutive six-year sentence for being an armed habitual criminal, totaling 40 years. He will be required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
At the time of the shooting incident, Brunt was out on bond following his arrest by Chicago police on June 30, 2020. During a traffic stop in the Loop, officers asserted that he attempted to evade capture while carrying a loaded firearm. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, two counts of aggravated battery against police officers, and resisting arrest, for which he posted $1,000 to secure his release pending trial.
During the sentencing proceedings on Friday, prosecutors chose to dismiss the earlier charges against Brunt.
