Prison for man who shot, killed friend

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Daniel Chinchak, who admitted he shot and killed his friend during an argument, was sentenced to prison on Tuesday.

In December 2012, the Grandville man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearm charges. As part of a plea deal, a count of manslaughter was dismissed.

Under the plea agreement, Chinchak was sentenced to two years in prison on the felony firearm charges. But he will spend no less than eight years and no more than 40 years behind bars for the murder.

Chinchak, 21, shot Jason Arntz, 22, between the eyes at Wimbledon Apartments in Grandville on July 22, 2012, 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 is 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.