AKRON, Ohio — An Akron man who admitted to shooting a man in the face because the victim wouldn’t share his potato chips was sentenced Monday to at least nine years in prison.
Melvin Wright, Jr., 43, could spend up to 12 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder, having weapons while under disability, and illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor premises, according to Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich.
The shooting occurred on Nov. 28, 2023. Prosecutors say Wright Jr. was inside Lusty Adventures, 41 Stanton Ave., when he asked from some of the 31-year-old victim’s potato chips.
After the victim refused, Wright followed the man to his car and shot him in the face, prosecutors say. The victim then drove himself to Summa Health Akron City Hospital, where he was hospitalized for six days.
Wright was arrested one day later when officers spotted him boarding a Metro bus at the Transit Center on South Broadway Street.
“Summit County is safer without Melvin Wright on our streets,” Kolkovich said in a statement. “Senseless violence has no place in Akron and I am grateful that the survivor of this crime is continuing his courageous recovery.”
Summit County Judge Joy Malek Oldfield designated Wright as a violent offender, meaning Wright must register with local law-enforcement each year for 10 years following his release from prison.