Man pleads to shooting friend in head

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grandville man pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting and killing his friend.

Daniel Chinchak pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearm charges. As part of a plea deal, a count of manslaughter was dismissed.

Chinchak, 21, shot Jason Arntz, 22, between the eyes at Wimbledon Apartments in Grandville on July 22, instantly killing him.

Court documents show Chinchak told investigators he had a .45 caliber gun in his waistband and put it on the kitchen counter, then told his friend Arntz to leave because, he said, Arntz was threatening and drunk.

But then, he told police, he picked up the gun, raised it and retreated from Arntz. That's when Arntz reached for the gun and said he was going to take the pistol away from Chinchak.

Chinchak pulled the trigger, he said, in self-defense.

Under the plea agreement, Chinchak will be sentenced to two years in prison on the felony firearm charges, followed by at least eight years for the murder charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.