An Iowa man has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for shooting into a car carrying Black teenage girls after a Trump rally, injuring one of them.
According to reports, Michael, 26, of St. Charles, was sentenced Monday for the December 6 shooting. He previously pleaded guilty to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury.
Police say the girls in the car and people at the rally exchanged insults while the teenagers’ car was surrounded by Trump supporters. The car then reversed and hit a pickup truck. Michael, an Army veteran who reportedly was wearing body armor and carrying several firearms, fired a shot into the car and wounded a 15 year old girl in the leg. Court papers say he later claimed he felt he was in danger.
At the sentencing, the girl’s statement was read in court. She said she feared she would die that day and did not know if she would walk again. Michael apologized to her and said he used poor judgment, according to reports.
Authorities have described the incident as stemming from a traffic argument. The rally was sponsored by Women for America First, a pro Trump group. Some Trump supporters criticized police for charging Michael, claiming his gunfire scared the car away and protected rallygoers.
Because Michael had no criminal history and an honorable military discharge, the judge ordered his two sentences to run at the same time, with a maximum of 10 years. Reports say he does not have to serve a minimum amount of time before he is eligible for parole.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
