FITCHBURG, MA—A Fitchburg man has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for the 2013 shooting death of Shaun Hibbard, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. announced Tuesday.
John Yang, 44, was convicted of second-degree murder by a Worcester Superior Court jury on Oct. 14 after a multi-day trial.
Prosecutors said that around 4 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2013, police responded to Forest Street in Fitchburg after reports of multiple gunshots. Officers found Hibbard, 33, on the porch of 46 Forest St. suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Leominster Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined that Hibbard had been shot during a confrontation near his car, which was parked at Forest and Charles streets. He ran up Forest Street knocking on doors for help before collapsing.
The Office of the State Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by gunshot wounds.
“It is my hope that today’s sentencing brings a measure of closure to Mr. Hibbard’s family and loved ones after these 12 years,” Early said in a statement. He credited the Fitchburg Police Department, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to his office, and prosecutors Brett Dillon and Thomas Ayres for their work on the case.
