William Christopher pettry stabbed

A Florida man has been charged with the stabbing death of a Chicago Bears fan who flew to Jacksonville to watch his team play on Sunday.

Matthew Reid Hinson, 27, of Jacksonville, was charged with at least one count of felony murder on Sunday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office records. 

Hinson allegedly stabbed William Christopher Pettry, 42, of Lake Villa, to death early Sunday inside a

restaurant in Jacksonville, according to a report on the Florida Times-Union newspaper’s Web site Jacksonville.com.

Pettry, who lived on Petite Court in the north suburb, was identified in the report as the victim.

According to the Web site’s report, Jacksonville homicide detectives were called to Fionn MacCool’s restaurant regarding a stabbing at 1:40 a.m. Sunday.

A follow-up news statement, sent from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office later Sunday indicated there was a disturbance between three people inside the restaurant.

During the incident, Pettry was fatally stabbed.

The statement also stated that Hinson, who was one of the three involved, was detained at the scene and later arrested for murder.

Police did not say why Pettry was in Jacksonville, but the Bears played the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL game Sunday afternoon.

Pettry’s wife, Karen, wrote about the tragedy on her Facebook page Sunday, saying, “I’m so numb and I still cannot believe it is true.”

She also said, “Please hug the ones you love because you never know if tomorrow you will have that chance.”

Jacksonville police are expected to release more information Monday.

Sun-Times Media