JACKSONVILLE Fla.-- When William Pettry came all the way to Jacksonville to watch his beloved Bears play the Jaguars, the 42-year-old father stopped by The Landing to kick off his weekend of fun at Fionn MacCool's Irish Pub. Little did his family know, his visit to the Sunshine State turned dark, and he would never return home to Illinois.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post his wife writes:
"My husband, William Christopher Pettry was taken from his family too early. Some idiot has taken his life. I'm so mad, just don't understand why."
Action News has learned Mrs. Pettry is talking about 28-year-old Matthew Hinson from Jacksonville. Police say he got into a fight with Pettry, then stabbed him. He was arrested for the murder of Pettry. Police say a third person was involved in the fight but they are not releasing how he was involved.
"I'm shocked," said Chicago fan, Lisa Vraniak. "Yesterday it was packed with kids and families."
Managers at Fionn MacCool's wouldn't go on camera but told Action News the fight seemed to come out of nowhere. Police won't say if they know how it all started, but Bears fans visiting the pub tonight told us they hope it wasn't over bad sportsmanship.
"When we were at the game a guy behind us was putting us down for being Bears fans," said Lou Vraniak from Chicago. "You can't stop living because some people aren't living right."
Meanwhile, Pettry's wife has warned others.
"Please hug the ones you love because you never know if tomorrow you will have the chance," she said in a Facebook post.
The investigation is ongoing, but police say they are not searching for anymore suspects at this time.
