Tacoma man sentenced 62 years for shooting bystander

A Tacoma man who shot and killed a woman who just happened to be on her front porch, has been sentenced to nearly 62 years in prison.

Olujimi Blakeney, 26, was convicted of first degree murder in the July 2010 shooting death of 41-year-old Lisa Melancon.

Blackney and two other defendants drove to Melancon’s neighbors’ home to confront a couple. Blackney fired shots as he and the other defendants fled the scene of a fight in a car.

One of the shots fired in the direction of a crowd hit Melancon in the head. She died at the scene.

Blakeney did not make a statement at the sentencing, but Melancon’s family spoke and recalled how important she was to her friends and community.