Gary convenience store shooting nets 18-year sentence

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Updated: February 3, 2012 5:26PM

Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced a Gary man to 18 years in prison for aggravated battery in a Gary convenience store robbery in which one man was wounded.

Damien Powell, 30, admitted he, co-defendant Anthony Williams and the victim, Richard Caldwell, were at the More 4 Less convenience store in the 700 block of West 45th Avenue in Gary. Powell and Caldwell had an altercation in the parking lot on April 13, during which Powell shot Caldwell in the hip.

Williams helped Powell by striking the victim in the head and helping Powell flee the scene. The victim was hospitalized for his injuries.

The plea agreement outlined the 18-year sentence and dismissal of charges of robbery and confinement.

Williams, 27, of East Chicago, was sentenced Nov. 23 to 10 years in prison.

The original charges were punishable by a maximum 20- to 50-year sentence.