YOUNGSTOWN — Kurtis D. Townsend, 26, was sentenced last week to six to 7 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier to felonious assault with a firearm specification and notice of prior conviction in a Sept. 13, 2024, incident at an auto repair shop on South Avenue in which he shot an employee in the thigh in a dispute over an automobile repair.

According to court records, the sentence was recommended by Mahoning County prosecutors, who also agreed to “stand silent” on whether Townsend should be granted judicial release at the point he is eligible and for Townsend to participate in SCORE Court.

Judicial release is an early release from prison approved by the sentencing judge, in this case Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony D’Apolito. Townsend gets credit for 418 days already served in the Mahoning County jail awaiting trial.

SCORE Court is a Mahoning County Common Pleas-specialty docket whose goal is to help people transition from incarceration back into society.

SCORE — Second Chance Offender Re-Entry — is modeled after other specialty courts across Ohio, such as drug court, mental health court and honor court in offering treatment and support to help people overcome issues that led them to be charged with a criminal offense. Judge Anthony Donofrio runs the court.

A Youngstown police report states that officers were dispatched to the business at South and Indianola avenues for a person stating he was shot. When officers arrived, they saw the man had a gunshot wound to his right leg. He was transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Prosecutors said Townsend went to the business with a person who had their car repaired there, a dispute ensued, and Townsend shot the victim. During his sentencing hearing, Townsend called his actions impulsive.

Townsend was arrested in the incident Nov. 4, 2024, after an arrest warrant was issued. Townsend was located at an apartment on West Boulevard in Boardman Feb. 20, 2025.

Officers initially made contact with another person, but Townsend opened a bedroom window and tried to crawl out. Officers ordered Townsend back into the apartment, and he was taken into custody.