OHIO — An Ohio man was sentenced to prison this week for a violent crime sparked by a dispute over a bag of potato chips.
The incident occurred exactly one year ago at a nightclub in Akron.
The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office reported that on November 28, 2023, 43-year-old Melvin Wright Jr. approached Jacob Hicks outside Lusty’s Adventure, a nightclub on Stanton Street.
Wright, reportedly hungry, asked Hicks, who was sitting in his vehicle eating a bag of potato chips, to share some with him.
When Hicks declined, the situation escalated.
According to police, Wright pulled out a handgun and shot Hicks in the face. Despite his injuries, Hicks managed to drive himself to Akron City Hospital, where he received medical treatment for six days.
Wright was later arrested and charged with attempted murder, having weapons under disability, and illegal possession of a firearm.
On Monday, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to nine to 12 years in prison. He will also be required to register as a violent offender for 10 years following his release.
Hicks has since recovered from his injuries.
