An Aurora youth has been sentenced to prison for his role in a spring 2013 gang-motivated shooting that injured another Aurora youth.

Ryan N. Fingers, 16, of the 500 block of North Root Street, Aurora, on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, agreed to a sentence of 18 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea to aggravated battery with a firearm.

Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles accepted the plea.

At about 5 p.m. April 15, 2013, Fingers, co-defendant Korleone L. Darby, 20, of the 400 block of Grant Place, Aurora, and a 14-year-old juvenile, were riding bicycles in the 600 block of Woodlawn Avenue, Aurora, when they encountered the 16-year-old victim near his home. Words were exchanged, and then six shots were fired from a handgun at the victim. At least three of the shots were fired by Fingers. The trio immediately fled. They were taken into custody by Aurora police within minutes. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Fingers’ case was transferred to adult court because of the severity of the charges and his age. Fingers will begin his sentence in the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. When he becomes an adult, he will be transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections. According to Illinois law, Fingers must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He received credit for at least 436 days served at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center.

The juvenile, now 15, previously pleaded guilty in juvenile court to aggravated battery with a firearm.

Darby’s case is pending. He is charged with attempted murder, a Class X felony, aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony, armed violence, a Class X felony, and unlawful use of a weapon within 1,000 feet of a park, a Class 3 felony. Darby remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail.

“Guns and gangs are a lethal combination for our community. I hope Mr. Fingers’ prison sentence serves as an example and deterrent for other young adults who foolishly choose to join street gangs,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The charges against Darby are not proof of guilt. Darby is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Cullen.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release