A man from Chicago’s South Side was sentenced to seven years in prison following a shooting incident involving a good Samaritan during a heated confrontation with a parking enforcement worker. The case stems from an incident that took place near Oakwood Beach on July 8, 2023.

William Hunter, aged 56, accepted a plea deal where he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery by discharging a firearm. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop six other charges, including four counts of attempted murder, as stated during the court hearing presided over by Judge Thomas Byrne.

The confrontation unfolded in the parking lot along the 3900 block of South Lake Shore Drive when Hunter, sitting in his minivan, became irate upon seeing a city revenue worker preparing to issue parking tickets. Reports indicate that after shouting disrespectful comments from his vehicle, he exited and approached the parking enforcement officer.

At this point, a 44-year-old man who was also in the area intervened, attempting to defuse the situation by stating that the city worker was just doing her job. However, rather than calming down, Hunter reportedly retaliated by shoving the good Samaritan, punching him, and then brandishing a handgun he had concealed within his hoodie. Witnesses reported that Hunter fired multiple rounds, striking the man in several areas, including the face, abdomen, and side.

During the chaos, the parking enforcement worker managed to take cover behind a nearby vehicle. She later provided vital information, including a partial license plate number, which significantly assisted the police in identifying Hunter’s minivan.

The injured man was rushed to a hospital where he was treated for critical injuries, requiring at least four surgical procedures to stabilize his condition. Although a 9-millimeter pistol was discovered in his waistband, forensic evidence at the scene confirmed that all shell casings collected were from a .380 caliber firearm, indicating that only Hunter was involved in the gunfire.

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As part of his sentencing, Hunter is required to serve a minimum of 85 percent of his seven-year term before becoming eligible for parole. His criminal history includes prior convictions for DUI in 2015, burglary in 2012, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon in 2008.

Tim Hecke is the managing partner at CWBChicago. He began his career at the iconic KMOX news radio station in St. Louis and has worked at several major markets including Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York City. Tim has developed syndicated radio news and content services that catered to the largest radio markets across America. He has been leading CWBChicago since 2019.

For more information, you can reach Tim at tim@cwbchicago.com.