On Friday, a court in Wisconsin sentenced a man to sixteen years in prison for shooting at a group of kids who pelted his car with snowballs.
A jury convicted William Carson in November on two counts of first-degree reckless injury and five counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Prosecutors have requested a 25-year prison sentence.
Court records show that in January 2020, seven children were playing in the snow on Milwaukee’s north side, throwing snowballs at cars that drove by.
A driver, later identified as William as Carson, violently responded to their playful antics. He reversed his vehicle, stepped out, and shot a firearm at the group of children.
Prosecutors have reported that two of the children were wounded after sustaining gunshot wounds to their thigh and arm. A third child had their jacket grazed by a bullet.
Judge Michael Hanrahan determined that in addition to Carson’s sentence, 10 years of extended supervision would be implemented.
Judge Hanrahan made a statement during Carson’s Milwaukee hearing on Friday, saying, “There is this other side of you that is impulsive, reckless, violent – I think self-centered.”
During this same hearing, Carson pleaded for a lighter sentence. He said, “I’m asking you for leniency in my sentencing. I am asking for mercy in my sentencing. I miss my family. I miss my kids.”