A felon was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for firing a gun outside Wrigley Field “while the area was crowded with baseball fans” the night the Chicago Cubs clinched the National League Division Series, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Hoytuan Pierce, 33, of Chicago, pleaded guilty last year to illegal possession of a firearm by a felon, prosecutors said. Pierce fired the gun during a dispute with several other people in the 3400 block of North Clark Street on Oct. 13, 2015 at about 11:30 p.m., prosecutors said.
“Earlier that evening at nearby Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to clinch the National League Division Series,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo sentenced Pierce to 84 months in prison.
“Gun-related deaths and injuries have taken an immeasurable toll on the citizens of the Northern District of Illinois over the past couple of years,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Cornelius Vandenberg argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s actions on October 13, 2015, showed a blatant disregard for the safety of those around him.”
No injuries were reported on the night of the shooting.
