A judge ordered a man detained pre-trial after he was charged with firing multiple shots in a crowded parking lot in downtown McHenry early Saturday morning.
Joel Ponce, 23, of Round Lake Beach, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless conduct.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 12:45 a.m. Saturday to the 1200 block of North Green Street for a gunman firing shots.
Police officials said officers arrived on the scene and learned there had been a disturbance between two people in a public parking area.
A preliminary investigation determined one of the subjects involved in the disturbance got into a vehicle and began leaving the area.
A passenger of the vehicle, now identified as Ponce, fired several rounds from a handgun into the air as the car was leaving, police officials said.
There were no injuries reported during the incident.
Police said they could not release further information yet because the investigation is still active.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Ponce fired the gun multiple times in the parking lot, which endangered the lives of numerous people who were present.
Other court documents said seven shots were fired in a “random manner” in a crowded area.
Ponce was taken into custody by police on Tuesday and transported to the McHenry County Jail.
He appeared for a first appearance hearing Wednesday in front of McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge.
Prosecutors filed a petition to detain Ponce pre-trial, which was granted by Coppedge after the judge found Ponce a real and present threat to the safety of others.
A status of preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 27.