A 26-year-old Carol Stream man is in custody after being accused of shooting another man following a road rage altercation last Thursday.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Carol Stream Chief of Police Don Cummings announced Saturday that Judge Susan Alvarado has granted the State’s motion to detain the accused pre-trial after he was charged with one count of Aggravated Battery – Discharge of a Firearm (a Class X Felony) and one count of Misdemeanor Endangering the Health or Life of a Child.
On Thursday at approximatelyely 8:15pm, Carol Stream patrol units were called to Lowes Home Improvement, located at 400 W. Army Trail Road, where they located a male on the ground suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention and is in stable condition.
Authorities allege that the accused and the victim got into a road rage incident near Army Trail Road and Kuhn Road. It is alleged that when the victim entered the Lowes parking lot, Sanchez followed him, whereupon both individuals exited their car. Following a verbal and physical altercation, the accused pulled out a gun and shot the victim in his leg. It is alleged that on at least two occasions the accuser threatened the victim, saying “I’m going to shoot you.”
Following the shooting, the accused fled the scene in his car, with his six-year-old son as a passenger. Carol Stream police took him into custody a short time later from his home without incident.
“It is alleged that following a road rage incident, [the accused] followed his victim into a parking lot and after a brief verbal and physical altercation, pulled out a gun and shot his victim in the leg,” Berlin said. “This complete disregard for public safety will not be tolerated. I urge anyone who may find themself involved in a road rage incident to take a deep breath and do not let your emotions get the best of you. Road rage incidents can escalate quickly and lead to violence, as alleged in this case. Thankfully, the victim in this case does not appear to have sustained life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. I also find it particularly disturbing that the accused’s six-year-old son was allegedly with him the entire time to witness not only a road rage altercation but also this alleged shooting.”
The accused’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 22, 2024, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
