EVERETT – A man accused of shooting a panhandler outside an Everett McDonald’s has been released from jail after serving about four months behind bars.

Steven Dionne pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault for the July 24 shooting. He was sentenced to four months in jail. That’s about the mid-range of the standard sentence. Dionne, 62, was given credit for the time he’d been locked up. He was released from jail Monday.

Dionne was drinking coffee and reading a newspaper in his pickup when a stranger approached and asked for money. Dionne said the man cursed at him and became agitated. Dionne began recording the event with his cell phone. The men argued.

Dionne told police the panhandler reached inside Dionne’s truck. He said he thought the man was going for his wallet or cell phone.

Dionne told police he was concerned for his safety. He grabbed his pistol and shot the man in the hip.

In plea paperwork, Dionne acknowledged that a self-defense claim may not have been successful at trial.