Bears Fan Stabbed To Death: Throat Slit During a Jealous Bar Brawl in Jacksonville [DETAILS]

A Chicago Bears fan was stabbed to death during a bar brawl in an Irish-themed restaurant in Jacksonville, FL on Sunday morning. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports that William C. "Chris" Pettry died after having his throat slit during a fight involving two other men. A Jacksonville man was promptly booked in jail on murder charges.

The deadly incident took place at the Irish-themed restaurant Fionn MacCools in a popular downtown Jacksonville mall early Sunday morning at approximately 1:40 a.m. (Oct. 7). Witnesses and the Sheriff's Office claim that Pettry (42, visiting from Lake Villa, IL) had been talking with the suspect's wife when the attack occurred. Matthew Reid Hinson then (calmy) took a knife to Pettry's throat before walking out of the establishment. Pettry was rushed to a local hospital and later died.

"For some reason, [Hinson] became jealous, enraged, whatever you want to call it, and approached our victim," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Lt. Rob Schoonover. "According to one of the eyewitnesses, he calmly and basically cold-blooded just cut the victim's throat, and calmly walked out of the restaurant."

Hinson, 27, confessed to the murder shortly after being arrested outside in his truck, and was hauled off to the Duval County jail. A small pocket knife was found in his possession. Although Hinson admits to the stabbing he told authorities that he doesn't remember his reasons for doing so.

Police claim that the slaying had nothing to do with Pettry being a Bears fan or any kind of football rivalry. The Bears played the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Pettry's family told the press that the avid Bears fan was never one to start trouble. His death investigation continues in Florida.

Pettry's wife Karen wrote this on her Facebook page following the unfortunate event: "Today my husband William Christopher Pettry (Most of you only know him by Chris) was taken from his family way to early. Some idiot has taken his life. I'm so mad, just don't understand why, very lost right now. Please hug the ones you love because you never know if tomorrow you will have that chance."

Bears coach Lovie Smith also offered his condolences to Pettry's friends and family.

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