A Lancaster man will serve up to 10 years in state prison for firing a gun from a moving car last year in the city.
Tyair A. Burnside was already a convicted felon when he fired from the car - while a Lancaster city police cruiser was following.
Burnside, 22, was convicted at a jury trial last month of felony illegal possession of a firearm.
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Lancaster County Judge James Cullen recently ordered Burnside serve 3 to 10 years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson, who won the conviction, asked for a sentence within state guidelines: a minimum 4-year term.
Judge Cullen ordered a mitigated sentence.
On June 3, 2014, Lancaster city police officers, in a marked cruiser, heard a gunshot and saw Burnside, a front-seat passenger, pull his arm in from a moving car.
The vehicle Burnside was in fled police, and Burnside threw the weapon: a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol. Police recovered it and noticed it had been recently fired.
Police determined Burnside was a convicted felon, regarding a 2012 drug case.
No one was wounded.
Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman has said felons with firearms are some of the most dangerous individuals in society.
“Felons who choose to carry a gun need to face serious consequences,” Stedman said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us