Clinton man sentenced to probation for bar shooting | News

A Clinton man was sentenced to three years probation Thursday in connection with a shooting at a Clinton bar in December that left three people hospitalized.

Ralph Antonio Beal, 39, of Clinton, was originally charged with reckless use of a weapon, willful injury and two counts of willful aggravated assault.

Later in December, Beal was additionally charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, two counts of reckless use of a firearm, and possession/control of a firearm/assault weapon by a felon.

According to court documents, Clinton police received a report of shots fired early in the morning of Dec. 17. Officers arrived on the scene at Ohana's Neighborhood Bar on Main Avenue around 1:16 a.m. and learned of multiple victims with gunshot wounds.

Several witnesses identified Beal and said he fired a gun in the bar. Two patrons overpowered him and took the gun from him before Beal fled the scene.

While Clinton officers were still on the scene, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office received a call from a citizen who observed a man, later identified as Beal, at a gas station. He said he appeared to have serious injuries.

The citizen-reported vehicle, which was registered to Beal, was located and Beal was arrested following an investigation. According to court documents, Beal suffered injuries consistent with being subdued following the shooting.

Beal has been held in the Clinton County Jail since then, with court-set bail set at $100,000 cash.

Officers went to MercyOne's emergency room in Clinton, where three people were found with gunshot wounds. Two of the people were in critical condition and required advanced medical treatment. The third person suffered a gunshot wound to the face that did not appear to be as serious.

Beal pleaded not guilty to the charges in January.

Court documents filed in February showed Beal's claim of self-defense.

As part of a July 18 plea agreement, Beal was sentenced Thursday by Seventh Judicial District Judge Tamra Roberts to three years of probation and a total of 30 years of suspended sentence, to be served concurrently with credit for time already served in the Clinton County Jail, on one count of reckless use of a firearm causing bodily injury, two counts of reckless use of a firearm causing serious injury and one count of possession or control of a firearm by a felon.

All other charges were dismissed by the court.

Special conditions of probation include that Beal must complete the Residential Corrections Facility program in Davenport, not possess or use alcohol or illegal substances, submit to random and unannounced testing, remain employed or attend school, and any other conditions determined by the probation officer.

Beal was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,471.51.