A Dorchester man will serve up to 20 years in state prison for shooting four people outside a Blue Hill Avenue tavern in 2009, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Patrick Brady sentenced CHARKEEM HYATT (D.O.B. 12/10/89) to three concurrent terms of 12 to 15 years in state prison, each for a count of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for which Hyatt was convicted last week. Brady imposed a consecutive five-year term for his conviction for possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony. In addition to setting concurrent sentences for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm, Brady additionally ordered Hyatt to serve two years of probation upon his release for unlawful possession of ammunition.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley of Conley’s Major Felony Bureau had requested a total of 20 to 25 years.

Bradley proved during the week-long trial that Hyatt shot four people when he fired into a crowd outside Packy Connors tavern in the early morning hours of July 17, 2009. Hyatt used a .40 caliber firearm to fire recklessly into a crowd of people as they exited the popular neighborhood tavern, hitting three women and one man, all in their twenties.

All told, a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted Hyatt of 11 separate offenses for his actions that morning.

“Those actions threatened the lives and safety of every person on the street that night,” Conley said. “Four people were injured, but many others were put at risk. The jury’s verdict and this sentence prove that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Three of the victims were struck in one or both legs; one was hit in the back as she sat in her car waiting for her friends. The shooting arose out of an argument Hyatt had with the male victim outside the bar. The female victims were unconnected to Hyatt and were not involved in the altercation. All of the victims testified that they did not see the shooter.

Boston Police working paid details at the scene heard the shots just before 2:00 a.m. and – with an off-duty police officer – saw Hyatt firing. Hyatt fled the scene with officers in pursuit; they apprehended him a short time later on Woodcliff Street. The weapon was never recovered.

Michael Coffey was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Hyatt was represented by attorney Sandra Odiaga.