MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Amos Patton, the man who opened fire at the base in Millington back in 2013, was sentenced to 50 years in a federal prison.
Patton was convicted in February on nine federal counts: four counts of assault with intent to commit murder, four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily injury, and one count of discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.
Prosecutors said Patton, a sergeant first class, pulled a personal gun from a fanny pack and began shooting after he was told he was being relieved of duty and dismissed from active service for alleged misconduct.
He was accused of shooting a major, a lieutenant colonel, and two sergeant majors with a firearm, with intent “to do bodily harm” and commit murder.
Amos’s attorney told the jury Amos was trying to kill himself but started shooting wildly when he was tackled him.
Lt. Col. Hunter Belcher, who Patton shot at, said the jury didn’t buy it.
“The facts are the facts. You extended six rounds with a semi-automatic weapon. It doesn’t go off by holding the trigger. You have to squeeze it six times for six rounds to come out,” said Belcher.
Belcher walked out of court with a smile on his face.
“We are pleased with the verdict,” he said. “I know it’s been tougher on [family] than on the soldiers themselves. It is something they have to deal with.”
The courts originally said Patton could face up to 20 years for eight of the nine charges.
