A man has been sentenced to nine to 12 years in prison for shooting a stranger in the face after the victim refused to share his potato chips at a strip club in Ohio. Melvin Wright, Jr., 43, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges related to the incident that took place on November 28, 2023.
Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich stated that Summit County is now safer without Melvin Wright on the streets and emphasized that senseless violence has no place in Akron. The victim, a 31-year-old man who was not acquainted with the gunman, was approached inside Lusty Adventure, a strip club in Akron, and asked for some of his chips. When the victim declined, Wright followed him to his car and shot him in the face.
The victim managed to drive himself to Summa Health Akron City Hospital where he received treatment for six days and survived the shooting. Wright was apprehended the following day as he boarded a Metro bus at the Transit Center on South Broadway Street. Police also found a handgun on Wright during the arrest.
Melvin Wright pleaded guilty to attempted murder, having weapons while under disability, and illegal possession of a firearm. In addition to his prison sentence, he is obligated to register as a violent offender annually for 10 years after his release.
The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of senseless violence and the importance of respecting others’ boundaries. Hopefully, this case will deter others from resorting to violence over trivial matters like a bag of potato chips.
