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Akron man sentenced to life in prison for murder of man he mistook for another person

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AKRON, Ohio — The Summit County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday that a 26-year-old Akron man has been sentenced to life in prison for the fatal shooting of 37-year-old last year.

Sonny Howard, 26, pleaded guilty to murder. Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Howard to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving 16 years.

The shooting happened on Jan. 15, 2019 on Clark Street just west of South Arlington Street in Akron.

The victim, Daniel Jones, 38, was walking down the street when he was shot in the chest, authorities said.

Howard was arrested around six months later. Authorities said that Howard didn't know the victim and mistook him for another person.

“This was a tragic, senseless crime which will impact Daniel Jones’ family for a very long time. He was an innocent man, gunned down in an unprovoked attack,” said Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “My heart goes out to his family. Our streets are safer with Sonny Howard behind bars.”

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