Jack Massie III, a 20-year-old from Akron, was sentenced on February 23, 2026, to four and a half years in prison for firing a .45-caliber pistol inside Bar Lucci in downtown Kent, Ohio. The shooting, which happened on October 30, 2025, caused panic in the crowded bar near Kent State University but injured no one. Massie had been out of prison less than a month at the time.
What Happened at Bar Lucci
A fight broke out inside Bar Lucci, on the 200 block of North Water Street, while employees were trying to clear the establishment on the night of October 30, 2025. During the altercation, Massie pulled a .45-caliber pistol and fired shots inside the bar, sending patrons into a panic.1Cleveland 19 News. Shots Fired Inside Bar Close to Kent State University A Kent police officer on patrol downtown heard the gunfire and responded. No one was hit.2The Kent Stater. Bar Lucci Shooting Suspect Charged With Felonious Assault
Massie was arrested and initially charged with felonious assault. He was held in the Portage County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond, which Judge Melissa Roubic continued at a hearing.2The Kent Stater. Bar Lucci Shooting Suspect Charged With Felonious Assault
Recent Release From Prison
Prosecutors told the court at the bond hearing that Massie had been released from prison on October 8, 2025, after serving time for a prior felonious assault conviction in Summit County. They also alleged he was affiliated with the Heartless Felons gang.2The Kent Stater. Bar Lucci Shooting Suspect Charged With Felonious Assault That earlier felony is what made it illegal for him to possess a firearm, and it became the basis of the weapons-under-disability charge.
Charges and Guilty Plea
A Portage County grand jury indicted Massie in November 2025 on having weapons under disability, inducing panic, aggravated menacing, possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises, tampering with evidence, and carrying concealed weapons.3Record-Courier. Akron Man Admits Guilt in October Shooting at Kent Bar
On January 14, 2026, Massie pleaded guilty to three counts:
- Having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony, with an attached three-year firearms specification tied to his prior Summit County conviction.
- Inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony.
- Aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor.
In exchange, prosecutors dismissed the charges of possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises, tampering with evidence, and carrying concealed weapons.3Record-Courier. Akron Man Admits Guilt in October Shooting at Kent Bar He faced up to eight years at the time of his plea.
The Sentence
Portage County Common Pleas Judge Becky Doherty sentenced Massie to four and a half years in prison on February 23, 2026. He received credit for 115 days already served in the Portage County Jail and was ordered to pay $276 in court costs. Judge Doherty also ordered that his .45-caliber pistol be forfeited to the Kent Police Department for destruction.4Record-Courier. Jack Massie III of Akron Gets Prison for Firing Gun in Kent Bar
Because Massie was on parole when he fired the gun inside Bar Lucci, the Ohio Parole Authority may impose additional sanctions on top of Judge Doherty’s sentence.5Yahoo News. Akron Man Heading to Prison for Firing Gun in Kent Bar