Linnell Blount Jr., a 31-year-old from Champaign, is sentenced to 15 years in prison following his conviction for firing at his cousin during a funeral in 2023, an act fueled by a disagreement over a Facebook post. A pre-sentencing interview revealed Blount’s troubling perspective on his criminal behavior, as he acknowledged, “I tend to do criminal stuff,” indicating a cyclical pattern of violence in his life.
The shooting incident occurred on September 8, 2023, exacerbated by ongoing family conflicts reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys. Witnesses detailed how Blount fired multiple shots at eye level as the victim attempted to flee. While both sides of the legal argument shared insights into Blount’s traumatic background, including surviving a gunshot wound himself months earlier, the case underscores the broader issues of gun violence and generational trauma affecting many communities.
Read full story at www.news-gazette.com
