Glen Ellyn Man Charged in Afternoon Shooting of Glendale Heights Man

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Glendale Heights Police Chief Roger Mabbitt announced that Jose L. Garcia, 20 (d.o.b. 8/17/83) of 33 Briar in Glen Ellyn was charged yesterday with one (1) count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm in connection with the Wednesday afternoon shooting of a 19 year old Glendale Heights man. He appeared in bond court this morning in Wheaton and bond was set on this charge at $500,000.

On Wednesday afternoon, May 19th at approximately 4:30 p.m., Glendale Heights Police responded to two (2) 9-1-1 calls reporting that shots had been fired in the vicinity of 659 E. Fullerton Avenue and that a victim had been struck by one of the bullets. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the victim, Pierre Lang, 19, of Glendale Heights, suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a wound to his cheek and mouth. 

It is alleged that on the afternoon of May 19th, the victim and a friend were in the parking lot at 659 E. Fullerton Avenue when the defendant and three (3) others arrived in a car. The defendant and two other occupants of the car got out and approached the victim. Following an exchange of words involving an altercation that had occurred earlier that afternoon, the defendant is alleged to have pulled a handgun out of his waistband and, as the victim was running away, he shot him in the face.

State’s Attorney Birkett on Thursday, May 20th authorized the charging of Jose Garcia, the alleged shooter, with one (1) count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. He was taken into custody by officers of the Glendale Heights Police Department and then later transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton. Garcia appeared in bond court this morning where Judge Cary Pierce set his bond at $500,000.

"Choosing violence in order to resolve a dispute is not the answer," commented State’s Attorney Birkett. "On Wednesday afternoon, this defendant is alleged to have used a handgun to resolve a problem, and my office has aptly responded by charging him with a Class X felony. If found guilty of this very serious offense, this man faces a penalty of 6-30 years in prison; he would not be eligible for probation. Today’s charges should send a very clear message that the use of firearms in our communities will be dealt with swiftly, and to the extent that the law will allow."

The defendant is scheduled to appear in court next on June 22nd at 8:30 a.m. for arraignment in courtroom 4004 before Judge Perry Thompson. 

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the efforts of the Glendale Heights Police Department in this investigation, as well as the numerous police departments that assisted, including Addison, Lombard and Glen Ellyn. In addition, Birkett thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Sinson of his office for his assistance with this case.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is 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 his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.