A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in an April 2014 gang fight that escalated to gunfire that resulted in a stray bullet striking and killing a South Bend toddler.
In a deal with prosecutors, Tarez Buchanon pleaded guilty in April to attempted murder in exchange for the dropping of a murder charge and a gang enhancement.
Authorities say the 2-year-old died when he was struck by a stray bullet from a gunfight between two rival gangs several blocks away.
<p style=”box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Adelle, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 25px;”>In a statement before sentencing Wednesday, Buchanon acknowledged his role in the violence and apologized to both John's and his families.
The South Bend Tribune reports in all, eight men and teenage boys were charged in connection with the toddler's death.
