A St. Joseph man who stole a vehicle and then opened fire on two witnesses chasing him was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison.

Zacharay Bixby, 23, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon before Circuit Judge Patrick Robb for the incident April 7. Judge Robb imposed the maximum sentence.

According to court documents, the witnesses said they spotted Bixby in a stolen vehicle and followed him to the 9000 block of South U.S. Highway 59.

That’s where officials say Bixby got out of the vehicle and fired a handgun at the witnesses. One round hit the hood of the vehicle, according to court documents.

Investigators said Bixby then fled on foot to a nearby residence, threatened the homeowner at gunpoint and took his truck. Bixby was arrested after the truck got stuck in a muddy field.

The possibility of additional charges of armed criminal action, assault, burglary, robbery and vehicle tampering led to the plea bargain concluded Friday.

As we reported, Bixby faces more charges in Clay County. He is accused there of trying to run down a police officer during an alleged shoplifting incident in Clay County.