Man Who Threatened Family With A Gun Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison

A Redding man who was a teenager last year when he terrorized people at gunpoint in different areas of town has been given a long prison sentence. Last Halloween night Christopher Aldridge and an accomplice approached two teens, a girl and a boy, at the Sundial Bridge parking lot. Aldridge pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at them. He demanded the boy’s shoes, wallet and other items, and also took a vaping device from the girl. He handed all the items to his companion and they fled in a black sedan. 25 minutes later police were called to Heather Lane off Foxtail Court. Aldridge had pointed a gun at Crystal Choate and Jacob Gingerich, who were tending to their 5-week-old baby in the backseat of their car. Aldridge threatened to kill the family, but after they pleaded with him for several minutes he fled in a black sedan. Aldridge was on probation at the time because he had just pled guilty 9 months earlier to assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. This time his plea deal will get him an 18 year prison sentence.