Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder After Stealing Victim’s Marijuana Cigarette
A 27-year-old man named Quntin Buchanan has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of two counts of murder. The incident occurred on November 10, 2023, when Buchanan shot 20-year-old Jeremiah Pruckler in the head and then callously picked up the victim’s marijuana cigarette before walking away. Judge Alfredo Maldonado handed down the sentence on Wednesday after a jury found Buchanan guilty on August 15.
According to prosecutors, Pruckler had met two childhood friends to hang out and smoke marijuana in a rear vestibule of the Dearborn Homes at 2900 South State Street. Surveillance footage captured Buchanan arriving a few minutes later, wearing a face mask and a hoodie with the word “Quality” printed on the back.
Witnesses reported that Buchanan sat on a nearby staircase for a few minutes before approaching Pruckler from behind and shooting him once in the back of the head. Pruckler’s friends managed to escape the scene unharmed.
After the shooting, prosecutors alleged that Buchanan callously picked up Pruckler’s joint and walked away. He then fled to his mother’s house and confessed to a relative that he had killed someone. Instead of letting him inside, Buchanan’s mother called 911.
Chicago police later found Buchanan near the 95th Street Red Line station. He attempted to flee from officers, even discarding his sweatshirt and ending up wearing only boxer shorts when he was apprehended a couple of blocks away.
Both of the men who were with Pruckler at the time of the shooting identified Buchanan as the shooter. Additionally, three of Buchanan’s relatives also identified him in security video footage from the CHA.
For more original reporting and to support our work, click here.
