East Side man gets prison term for shooting

YOUNGSTOWN — A city man has been sentenced to two years in prison for a Feb. 17 shooting on the city’s East Side. Robert Blackshear drew the sentence today from Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Blackshear, 53, of East High Avenue, was originally charged with felonious assault, but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault with a firearm specification.

The victim, Dennis Townsend, 43, of Duncan Lane, told police he had a long-running feud with Blackshear, who fired four shots at him, striking him once in his left shoulder in the 1400 block of Woodcrest Avenue.

Blackshear will get credit for the 223 days he has been jailed awaiting disposition of his case.