An Aurora man and convicted felon who shot and injured two people during a bar fight in Montgomery has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Kendall County judge. He had previously been convicted in a jury trial of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, among other charges.
On January 6, 2019, Josua Matias, 25, walked into a crowded restaturant bar in Montgomery with a loaded handgun. He shortly became involved in an argument with a man he knew which led to a fight among approximately 10 people present.
During the fight Matias took the handgun from his waistband, made his way to the front door and, with no threat approaching him, fired seven shots into the crowd.
Two people were struck, including the man with whom he had started the argument. That man, and a female victim, were treated on the scene and eventually were transported to a local hospital.
Matias was arrested and charged with Armed Habitual Criminal, two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.
In April of this year, Matias pleaded guilty to Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. The remaining charges were scheduled for a jury trial. In September, a jury found Matias guilty on all other charges.
“This is an example of ow some offenders are not capable of rehabilitation,” Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis stated after the sentencing. “Matias, a previously convicted felon, had no legal right to even possess a firearm because of his felony convictions. Yet, he not only carried on into a business, he shot two people in the process. Everyone deserves to feel saFe in this community. Hopefully, this verdict and sentence will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences for this type of conduct.”
