A Union County man has been sentenced to 48 years in prison for killing a “beloved” man who was caught in the crossfire of feuding gang members in a Plainfield neighborhood three years ago.

Shaquille Spruiel, 26, of Plainfield must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence for the May 25, 2016 death of Willie Lee Major, 37, according to Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo.

Spruiel was convicted in June of murder, conspiracy and two weapons offenses following a nearly month-long trial in Union County Superior Court in Union County. Video evidence showed that Spruiel fired the shot that killed Major, according to prosecutors.

The shooting occurred about 6:45 p.m., near West 4th Street and Liberty Street, where Major’s body was found, authorities have said.

An investigation found the shooting between the two gangs operating in Plainfield’s West End was retaliation for an unsolved fatal shooting weeks prior in Plainfield, police said.

Spruiel and 21-year-old Dinek Forbes were identified as suspects by Union County Homicide Task Force, which led the investigation with the assistance of three other departments. Forbes was arrested in June 2016, and pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in December 2018.

Spruiel fled to Georgia, where he was taken into custody in July 2016, authorities said.

A third man was believed to be involved and was apprehended in February 2018. He was acquitted of all charges.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Kirsch said the senseless violence occurred on an otherwise quiet night as residents spent time outside enjoying pleasant spring weather.

“People were milling about, talking to neighbors, kids around … and then it was a scene out of the Wild West,” Kirsch said. “He (Spruiel) sprayed this congested area with gunfire without a shred of appreciation or concern for victims … and removed (Major) from the world unceremoniously.”

Assistant Prosecutor Colleen Ruppert said in court Major was born premature and spent his first six months of life in a hospital.

“But (Major) grew up to make an enormous positive impression on the Liberty Village community with a sense of unflappable affability,” the prosecutor’s office said in a news release.

“His reputation became immediately apparent to investigators when they received overwhelming cooperation from neighborhood witnesses,” the release said.

“Willie Lee Major was a fixture in his community,” Rupport said. “He was beloved.”

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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