EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – An Alton, Illinois, man was sentenced Wednesday to 135 years in state prison for shooting three people, including a woman who nearly lost her leg as a result.
Steven Foster, 37, was found guilty in March of three counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2021, in the 700 block of Oakwood Estates in Alton.
Investigators determined the shooting was the result of a dispute between one of the victims and the shooter, later identified as Foster. The person had made fun of the condition of a car belonging to Foster’s friend.
Foster left the residence after the argument but returned with a gun a short time later and opened fire into a crowd of more than 20 people, police and prosecutors said.
The three victims were rushed to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries. One of the victims suffered a gunshot that nearly severed her leg, but doctors were able to reattach the appendage.
Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a sentence greater than 100 years, citing the large number of potential victims.
A Madison County Circuit Court judge handed down a 135-year sentence. Foster must serve at least 85% of the punishment, effectively making this a life sentence.