CWB readers are probably familiar with our running list of people who’ve been accused of shooting, killing, or trying to kill others in Chicago this year while on bond.
Our list doesn’t include people who shoot, kill, or try to kill others in the suburbs while on bail for Chicago cases. There are only so many hours in the day, you know.
But here’s one: 22-year-old Jevonthae Jones. He’s accused of opening fire on a passing car and shooting the driver of a different vehicle in Oak Park on Sunday — while on bail for not one but two Chicago gun cases.
Sorry about that, Oak Park.
Prosecutors said Oak Park police officers were on patrol when they heard three gunshots and saw Jones firing a gun nearby. Jones ran, but they caught him, according to the allegations.
Later, the alleged victim showed up at a hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower back. He told police he was driving when he heard gunshots and saw someone firing into the air from the vehicle in front of him around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Jones, who was standing with a group on the side of the road, allegedly began shooting at the vehicle from which the gunshots were fired. He hit the wrong person, according to the charges.
Witnesses allegedly identified Jones as the shooter and said he handed his gun to a woman in the crowd before he ran away. Police found 12 shell casings at the scene and a bullet hole in the victim’s car door.
He is charged with aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm.
In September 2020, prosecutors charged him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after police allegedly found him carrying a gun after a domestic altercation, according to statements made during Monday’s bond court hearing. He posted bail and went home on electronic monitoring.
On June 19, he was charged with having another gun illegally. Once again, he posted bond and went home on electronic monitoring.
Prosecutors said he was on bond — and on electronic monitoring — for both of those cases at the time of this weekend’s alleged shooting.
Jones’ defense attorney said he worked for his father’s security company until he got arrested.
On Monday, a court worker told Judge John Lyke that their analysis suggested he should release Jones from custody with pre-trial services, one of their less-restrictive recommendations.
“I respectfully disagree with that,” Lyke said after hearing the allegations.
Instead, the judge set bail at $250,000 and ordered Jones to go onto electronic monitoring if he posts a 10% deposit bond. But Jones won’t be able to do that right away. Lyke also ordered him held without bail for violating the bond terms in the two pending gun cases.
Previous dishonorable mentions
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