A Zion man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a daytime shooting where over 50 shots were fired in McHenry on Sunday. Additional suspects are being sought.
Dante L. Terrell, Jr., 29, of the 2300 block of Joppa Avenue in Zion, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Michael Spohn said the incident happened around 1:25 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Route 31 and Bull Valley Road in McHenry.
According to an alert sent out to area law enforcement officers in McHenry County, a subject in a red Jeep Compass was armed with an AR-15.
The subject began shooting the AR-15 out of the back of the Jeep towards a silver Nissan Maxima that was traveling behind it, the radio alert said.
The McHenry Police Department said on Monday they are not able to confirm yet what type of gun that subject used. However, photos from the scene appear to show rifle casings.
A second vehicle, sitting in traffic at the intersection, was also struck by the gunfire, Spohn said.
The red Jeep was last seen eastbound on Bull Valley Road from Route 31.
Spohn said no injuries were reported in the shooting, which he called “an isolated incident.”
Several witnesses at the scene reported seeing dozens of spent casings on the ground just west of the intersection.
At least 50 evidence markers were placed over the casings as police investigated the scene. Spohn confirmed that over 50 shell casings were recovered.
The McHenry Police Department issued a Nixle warning to residents to avoid the intersection for several hours due to the investigation.
None of the subjects involved are residents of McHenry or McHenry County, Spohn said.
Investigators took Terrell into custody within a couple of hours of the shooting. McHenry police say they are still searching for additional suspects involved.
Terrell was also wanted on a warrant from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599.
Those wishing to pass along anonymous information are encouraged to call the McHenry Police Department’s tip line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous as Caller ID is not used.