A man who shot a stranger in the face over a dispute about potato chips at an Ohio strip club has been sentenced to nine to 12 years in prison. Melvin Wright, Jr., 43, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges for the Nov. 28, 2023, shooting, as reported by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich stated, “Summit County is safer without Melvin Wright on our streets. Senseless violence has no place in Akron, and I am grateful that the survivor of this crime is continuing his courageous recovery.”
The incident occurred at Lusty Adventure, a strip club in Akron, when the perpetrator asked a stranger for some of his potato chips, which the victim declined. The gunman then followed the victim to his car and shot him in the face.
The victim survived the shooting after receiving treatment at Summa Health Akron City Hospital for six days. Wright was apprehended the following day while boarding a Metro bus at the Transit Center on South Broadway Street. Police also discovered a handgun in his possession at the time of the arrest.
Wright pleaded guilty to attempted murder, having weapons while under disability, and illegal possession of a firearm. Along with his prison sentence, he is mandated to register as a violent offender annually for 10 years post-release.
