Friendly Poker Game Turns into Heated Debate Leaving a Player Seriously Wounded

North Carolina jury sentences poker player up to 60 months in jail following the shooting of another man over a $5 dispute.

A US poker room makes headlines as a man from North Carolina has been sentenced to prison for shooting another player after a disagreement between the two men ensued. The game started off on friendly terms, but soon turned sour after a fight over a $5 hand.

Following the incident, the shooter Prentice Reaves fled the scene, but was subsequently apprehended. Columbus County jury convicted him of assault with a deadly weapon. Reaves has been sentenced to prison for up to 60 months. Depending on his prison conduct he may be released earlier, after serving 40 months.

The victim remains under observation after surgery

The local District Attorney issued a statement explaining the supposed turn of events. “Reaves and the victim had been playing cards when a verbal altercation began over a $5 hand of poker. During the trial, evidence showed that during the argument Reaves pulled out a handgun and shot the victim once in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.”

Gambling news reports that the statement also adds that after the shooting, the victim was taken to hospital where he remains under observation. “The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery and was hospitalized as a result of the injuries sustained from the gunshot.”