Florida Man Raises Money for Bears Fan Killed At Bar

Stranger raising money to help William “Chris” Pettry's family

John Deffes never met the Chicago Bears fan who was fatally stabbed over the weekend at a bar in Jacksonville, Fla.

But when Deffes heard about the death of William “Chris” Pettry after a confrontation early Sunday at Fionn MacCool's Irish Pub and Restaurant in the downtown area, he wanted to help the Lake Villa man and his wife, Karen.

"The citizens of Jacksonville wish to show they are united with Mrs. Pettry and her family in this most tragic time," Deffes wrote on his fundraising page. "One way for us to do that is to put our money where our mouths are."

As of Wednesday morning the site raised $3,550 to help Karen Pettry and her three children.

Matthew Hinson, 27, is charged with Pettry's murder. Hinson is accused of slashing the man's throat after he found out that Pettry and a friend were talking to Hinson's wife and another woman, Lt. Rob Schoonover said this week.

Witnesses told police Hinson put the bloody knife in his pocket then walked away. He was located by police a short time later. Pettry died at the scene.

On her Facebook page, Pettry's widow shared words of grief and a reminder to her followers.

"Im [sic] so mad, just don't understand why, very lost right now. Please hug the ones you love because you never know if tomorrow you will have that chance," she wrote.

 

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