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Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Fatal 2021 Shooting of Near West Side Delivery Driver
Prosecutors dropped first-degree murder charges after Anthony Watts agreed to plead guilty to attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking.
A Chicago man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted carjacking in connection with the 2021 fatal shooting of a food delivery driver on the Near West Side, court records show.
Anthony Watts entered a guilty plea to one felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm.
Prosecutors dropped original first-degree murder charges against Watts as part of the plea agreement, ABC7 Chicago reported.
The fatal encounter occurred in September 2021 in the 1300 block of West Grenshaw Street.
Investigators said 57-year-old Qiaoming Shao was executing a routine food delivery when suspects approached his vehicle and opened fire.
Shao suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
Witnesses told police a blue sedan pulled up directly behind Shao’s vehicle shortly before gunfire erupted.
Chicago police officers arrested Watts, who was 18 at the time of the incident, shortly after the shooting occurred.
A Cook County judge sentenced Watts to 15 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Watts will receive credit for the 1,905 days he has already spent in custody awaiting trial.
Court records indicate the case against Watts is officially concluded following the sentencing entry.
