Man Gets 60 Years for Shooting at Indiana Ambulance

Feb. 27--A Fort Wayne man was sentenced to 60 years in prison for spraying bullets at an ambulance and car, injuring four people, in September after a fight at a northeast-side nightclub.

Traneilous L. Jackson, 24, pleaded guilty last month to four counts of attempted murder for opening fire on the ambulance -- as well as a car following it -- Sept. 9 as it transported a stabbing victim from the Piere's nightclub complex.

Allen Superior Court Judge John Surbeck sentenced Jackson to a 50-year term for each count of attempted murder, with the sentences to be served at the same time, as set out in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Surbeck also sentenced Jackson to eight years for a count of battery with a deadly weapon and a pair of two-year terms, served simultaneously, for two charges of criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon. Jackson will get credit for 171 days already served in jail.

Jackson appeared at the Wednesday morning sentencing wearing shackles and a bright orange prison jumpsuit.

When asked if he had anything to say, Jackson murmured an apology to the victims of the shooting, which included a medic who was wounded by shrapnel and broken glass and a woman riding in the car who was hit by at least 10 bullets, according to court documents. He then acknowledged his family.

"Most importantly, I apologize to my family, my son," Jackson said.

He smiled and flashed a hand gesture to supporters as they left the courtroom.

According to court documents, Jackson and another man, 23-year-old Dontay Martin, riddled each vehicle with 15 to 20 bullets. Friends of the stabbing victim were following in the car.

An Allen County jury found Martin guilty earlier this month on four counts of attempted murder, along with battery and firearm- and gang-related charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

Copyright 2013 - The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.)