Judge sets bond at $1 million for two Chicago gunmen accused in Oak Brook shootings
Bond Set at $1 Million Each for Two Chicago Men Accused of Opening Fire at Oak Brook Mall Two Days Before Christmas
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police James Kruger announced today that bond has been set for two Chicago men accused of opening fire at the Oak Brook Mall two days before Christmas.
Tyran Williams, 32 (d.o.b. 9/21/1989) of the 7200 block of Fairfield Avenue and Steven Lane, 29 (d.o.b. 11/2/1992) of the 6900 block of Cregier Avenue, each appeared at a bond hearing this morning where bond was set in the amount of $1 million with 10% to apply for each man.
Williams has been charged with five counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony).
Lane has been charged with one count of Aggravated Battery – Discharge of a Firearm (Class X Felony), four counts of Aggravated Discharge of a firearm (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony).
On December 23, 2021, at approximately 5:44 p.m., officers with the Oak Brook Police Department responded to a call of shots fired at the Oak Brook Mall.
Upon their arrival, officers found four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the individuals, later identified as Williams, had been shot four times.
It is alleged that officers found a Glock 9 mm handgun near Williams as they began to treat his gunshot wounds. Following an investigation into the shooting, led by the Oak Brook Police Department, it is alleged that Williams and Lane were in a verbal altercation when both men pulled out a handgun and began shooting at each other.
It is alleged that during the incident, both Lane and Williams fired their weapons resulting in William being struck four times and four innocent bystanders being struck by gunfire. It is further alleged that after the shooting Lane fled the scene.
Lane was taken into custody at the mall a short time later following a brief foot pursuit by a Nordstrom Loss Prevention Officer and an Oak Brook Police Officer. A Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun was also found near the Nordstrom store where Lane was running after the shooting. Williams was transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
He was released from the hospital into police custody on December 27, 2021. The innocent bystanders who were shot were also transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
None of their injuries were life-threatening and they have all been released from medical care. When processing the scene, authorities found twelve fired 9 mm shell casings.
“The allegations that these two men opened fire in a crowded mall of between fifteen to twenty thousand people, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year are evidence of an unconscionable degree of violence and a complete and utter disregard for public safety,” Berlin said.
“Make no mistake, in DuPage County public safety is our top priority and anyone who commits this type of violent crime in DuPage County will be apprehended, charged and, if found guilty, face a significant amount of time behind bars. We are all extremely grateful that the injuries sustained by the four innocent victims do not appear to be life-threatening and that they are all on the mend. I thank all the law enforcement agencies involved in this situation for their assistance. Within minutes, hundreds of police officers from across the county descended on the mall and quickly brought a chaotic situation under control. In particular, I commend the Oak Brook Police Department, DuPage County MERIT and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick’s Office’s Forensic Science Center for their truly outstanding efforts in the quick identification and apprehension of the defendants in this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Robert Willis, Helen Kapas and Kelly McKay for their work through the holiday in securing strong charges against these two defendants.”
“On December 23rd, members of the Oak Brook Police Department performed heroic actions running toward gunfire that not only placed, what we came to learn, the perpetrators in custody but also took immediate lifesaving action to save the life of one of the defendants,” Kruger said.
“Words cannot describe the amount of pride I have for our officers and for law enforcement as we received a tremendous amount of support from surrounding agencies who selflessly responded to our call for assistance.”
“I want to start by thanking our first responders for a massive response to the Oak Brook Mall during this stressful and violent incident,” Mendrick said.
“We never know how something like this is going to turn out while we’re on our way. Chief Kruger and State’s Attorney Berlin have made this process as efficient as possible. I also commend the silent heroes behind the scenes on this case – members of our DuPage County Crime Laboratory, led by Claire Dragovich, who came to work on the shortest of notice during a holiday to solve this case. Through scientific empirical processes, they have developed evidence that no person’s testimony could ever provide. Thanks to their professionalism and determination we have once again solved a major crime by developing a witness named ‘Science’ that cannot be impeached. The quality of work produced by this unit is unrivaled and they are to be commended. This is how we make criminals accountable for what they do in DuPage County.”
The next court appearance for Williams is scheduled for arraignment on January 20, 2022. The next court appearance for Lane is scheduled for arraignment on January 19, 2021. Both cases will be heard in front of Judge John Kinsella.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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