Bond Set at $750,000 for Glendale Heights Man in Stratford Square Mall shooting

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese announced today that bond has been set for a Glendale Heights man accused of shooting a loss prevention officer at the Burlington Coat Factory store at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale.

Keonte Griffin, 23 (d.o.b. 11/14/1994) of 366 Thorncliff Drive, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Jeffrey MacKay set bond at $750,000 with 10% to apply. Griffin has been charged with one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony and one count of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony.

At approximately 1:28 p.m., June 12, 2018, officers with the Bloomingdale Police Department were dispatched to the Stratford Square Mall for a report of shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers found the Loss Prevention Officer and victim sitting at the store with both men suffering from gunshot wounds. The Loss Prevention Officer had been shot once in the shoulder and the defendant had been shot once through his hand and into his thigh.

It is alleged that prior to the arrival of police, the victim had escorted Griffin from the store after Griffin allegedly urinated into a bottle while in a changing room and then kicked the bottle over in the changing room, spilling the contents. It is alleged that Griffin wanted to return to the store but was prohibited from doing so by the victim. It is further alleged that Griffin then pulled a loaded gun and shot the victim. A brief struggle ensued resulting in Griffin being shot. Both men received treatment for their injuries.

“The allegations against Mr. Griffin are extremely serious and will be met with the full force and effect of the law,” Berlin said. “I would like to thank the Loss Prevention Officer for his efforts in disarming and detaining the suspect in this case and note that it is certainly good news that he is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries. I would like to thank the Bloomingdale Police Department for their quick response to this incident. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Lynn Cavallo for her efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Griffin.”

“This was a very unfortunate situation for the Loss Prevention Officer and we are glad no other innocent people were injured,” Giammarese said. “Thanks to his work and the quick response of our officers, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. While we pride ourselves on the fact that Bloomingdale is a very safe community, we also realize that we need to be prepared for anything that comes before us. I would like to acknowledge all of the first responders for the work that was put into this case to bring it to a safe and quick resolution.”

Griffin’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 19, 2018, in front of Judge MacKay.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.