<p>INDIANAPOLIS — A man convicted of murder and criminal recklessness in the 2019 shooting death of a man celebrating his bachelor party has been sentenced to 55 years in prison, prosecutors said Thursday.</p>
<p>Derek Oechsle, 33, also was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-indianapolis-shootings-1cd6c208e1f8a3a232f44621865411b7">found guilty last month</a> in the Nov. 29, 2019, slaying of Christopher Smith, 41.</p>
<p>Smith and some friends were celebrating his upcoming marriage when witnesses said Oechsle, sitting nearby, appeared to become visibly upset, prosecutors have said. A fight ensued and Oechsle pulled out a gun and began to strike another man. </p>
<p>When Smith attempted to break up the fight, Oechsle shot Smith and into the surrounding crowd until a member of Smith’s party returned fire, striking Oechsle multiple times, prosecutors said.</p>
<p>Smith immediately collapsed on the floor due to his injuries. Oechsle fled the scene before collapsing in the parking lot, prosecutors said.</p>
<p>Oechsle was sentenced last week.</p>
