Mich. man sentenced in shooting deaths of 2 young men

Jackson, Mich. – A man who was convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shootings of two young men who were breaking into his truck in southern Michigan has been sentenced to 19 to 40 years in prison.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports 55-year-old Tracy Lawrence learned his punishment Wednesday after being convicted in July of the murder charge and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Lawrence shot 18-year-olds Hunter Lentz and Matthew McMillen on June 8, 2016 outside his home in Jackson County’s Springport Township.

Lawrence apologized to their families on Wednesday.

Prosecutors have said Lawrence first killed Lentz, who likely died instantly, and continued firing at McMillen as he fled.

The defense argued Lawrence acted in self-defense or he was lawfully stopping the escape of fleeing felons.