A convicted felon who participated in an exchange of gunfire outside a Chicago gas station was sentenced on July 8 to nine years in federal prison.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Malik Williams, 29, fired two shots toward a minivan while standing outside a gas station on the South Side of Chicago on May 27, 2022. Individuals in the minivan returned fire, resulting in a bystander being shot in the leg while filling up his work van. The area was busy with traffic and several people were present at the gas station during the shooting, including a woman who was only feet away from Williams when he fired.
Williams pleaded guilty in July 2025 to illegal possession of ammunition after previously being convicted of a felony offense. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger imposed the sentence following Williams’ guilty plea.
The sentencing announcement came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. The Chicago Police Department assisted with the investigation.
“Defendant fired twice at the occupied minivan,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Schied said in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Had his aim been true, he would have killed one or more people on purpose. Everyone at that intersection that day is fortunate to be alive, including defendant.”