CHICAGO — Prosecutors say a Chicago man shot himself in the leg one day after he was released from jail to await trial for allegedly possessing another firearm.
Cook County sheriff’s deputies arrested Cortez Williams, 21, for allegedly possessing a loaded pistol in the 5300 block of West Washington on September 14. He posted a $700 bail deposit and went home the next day.
And, prosecutors now say, he shot himself the day after that.
Chicago police officers responded to the 500 block of North Kilpatrick on September 16 and found Williams with a gunshot wound to his left calf, according to a CPD case report. Williams told the cops he had a gun in his car, and it discharged, striking him in the leg, the report said. He dumped the firearm nearby.
Officers allegedly found a loaded handgun by following a blood trail that led from Williams to a nearby lot.
After waiting a couple of months, prosecutors charged Williams with reckless discharge of a firearm and possessing the handgun cops allegedly found at the end of the blood trail.
Judge Sophia Atcherson released him from custody with a nighttime curfew and instructions to stay away from firearms, according to clerk of court records.
Williams is the 29th person accused of shooting, killing, or trying to shoot or kill someone in Chicago this year while awaiting trial for a felony. The cases involve at least 45 victims (including Williams). Fifteen of the others died.
The “not horrible” series
This report continues our coverage of individuals accused of killing, shooting, or trying to kill or shoot others awaiting trial for a felony allegation. CWBChicago began our series of reports in November 2019 after Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans publicly stated, “We haven’t had any horrible incidents occur” under the court’s bond reform initiative.
The actual number of murders and shootings committed by people awaiting trial for felony allegations is undoubtedly much higher than the numbers seen here. Since 2017, CPD has brought charges in less than 5% of non-fatal shootings and 33% of murders, according to the city’s data.
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings.
Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets.
Our editorial email address is [email protected]
