Peoria man gets 7-year sentence for June 2024 shooting
Christopher Polnitz Cleary, 20, was sentenced in Peoria County Circuit Court by Chief Judge Katherine Gorman. The sentence was in near the lower end of the four-to-15-year year prison term.
Polnitz-Clary was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with the June 7, 2024, incident that occurred near the intersection of East Frye and North Indiana avenues.
More than 60 shell casings were found on the scene, according to Peoria police. Two days later, officers were sent to the intersection of Hanssler Place and Broadway Street for another report of shots fired. When they arrived, a home and a car were struck by gunfire.
During an investigation of the second shooting, detectives found that a blue Dodge Caliber was the vehicle used in the shootings.
Two Peoria men indicted for June shooting leaving more than 60 shell casings behind
In April, Cleary pleaded guilty and under state law, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence.
During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Assistant State's Attorney Brian FitzSimons told Gorman that the shooting happened in the middle of the day and while people were around. It's sheer luck, he said, that no one was hurt.
Gorman noted that while Polnitz-Clary had taken steps to improve himself while in custody, his actions could not be overlooked.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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