JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A jury has convicted a Jacksonville man on a 2011 attempted murder charge.
Ulrick Watson, 21, was convicted Wednesday on one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Watson shot at Jerome Jones and Ibri Bryant in August 2011. Evidence showed that Watson and Bryant had a verbal argument over Bryant making a hand gesture at Watson's sister. During the dispute, Watson shot a gun into the air.
The two victims walked away from the area, and Watson, along with several others, followed the victims. Two fights broke out, and Watson pulled out the firearm and shot at the victims. Bryant was shot in the chest, while a bullet hit Jones in the leg.
"Anyone who shoots at another individual because of a hand gesture is a danger to society, and I'm glad the jury came back as they did," said Assistant State Attorney David Thompson.
Watson has four felony convictions and is under sentence for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He now faces a maximum of 50 years in prison. He will be sentenced November 26, 2012.
