Joliet Man Gets 31 Years For Crippling Rival in Gas Station Gun Attack

A Joliet man was sentenced to 31 years in prison for crippling a rival for life in a gas station gun attack.

Anthony White, 26, had pleaded guilty to attempted murder in February for shooting 33-year-old Marcus Smith two years earlier.

“White and three other individuals attacked Smith at the Citgo at 379 S. Chicago St. in Joliet,” according to a statement released by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s office.

“Surveillance video from the gas station shows that White grabbed a gun out of his car and shot Smith during the dispute,” according to the state’s attorney’s office. “White was on parole at the time of the shooting after serving five years in prison for an aggravated discharge of a firearm conviction in 2008. The motive for the shooting is unclear.”

After White’s sentencing, Glasgow released a statement on the “callous brutality” of the crime.

“Anthony White’s callous brutality has forever changed the lives of Marcus Smith and his family,” Glasgow said. “The defendant’s willingness to shoot his gun with seemingly no provocation has left Mr. Smith paralyzed below the neck. He has earned every minute of his lengthy prison sentence.”