Wendy's shooter sentenced to four years in prison | Local News

The Lockport man accused of shooting a person in the leg during an argument in the Wendy's restaurant parking lot last fall has been sentenced to four years in state prison.

Jerry Torres Jr., 26, previously pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. Initially charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, Torres was offered a plea deal by the Niagara County Prosecutor's Office.

The person who was shot, a 24-year-old man whose name has not been released by authorities, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Erie County Medical Center.

At his sentencing hearing Tuesday in Niagara County Court, Torres said he made bad decisions and wanted to live a law-abiding life.

Torres' attorney, Daniel Dubois, asked for only a sentence of probation, saying Torres was defending himself against a crowd when the altercation began outside Wendy's on South Transit Road on Sept. 25.

Torres is a “good father” who wants to be with his children, Dubois added.

County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek advised Torres that a “good father” does not fight, hold an illegal weapon or “brandish” that weapon in what was essentially a fistfight .

“Fortunately, we are not presiding over a homicide,” she said.

Wojtaszek also ordered Torres to undergo three years of post-release supervision.