A U.S. Navy member was arrested after officers responding to a shots fired call in North Chicago approached his home and heard him firing shots, prosecutors said.
The North Chicago Police Department received an alert regarding shots fired detected at a residence on December 6.
Officers responded to the residence, which is where Kendall W. Mitchell, 35, resides, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich.
As officers began walking up the driveway, they heard three shots fired and saw dirt fly into the air, indicating the shots were fired into the ground.
Officers knocked on the door and Mitchell answered, Vukovich said. He gave the officers an unprompted apology and said he did not mean to hurt anyone.
Officers asked Mitchell who shot the gun and Mitchell admitted it was him, Vukovich said.
Mitchell said he was depressed and was in the process of going through a divorce.
The man admitted to shooting his gun into the ground 10 times because it “wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Vukovich said.
Officers located 10 shell casings in Mitchell’s backyard. They spoke to Mitchell’s neighbor, who said he witnessed Mitchell shooting the gun, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said Mitchell, who officers believe is a threat to himself, had a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card at the time of his arrest.
Mitchell was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and reckless conduct endangering safety.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Mitchell pending trial, calling him a real and present threat to the safety of the community.
A public defender for Mitchell said his client works at Naval Station Great Lakes as a boot camp instructor and has been in the U.S. Navy for 10 years.
The attorney said Mitchell was cooperative with officers and remorseful of his actions.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak denied prosecutors’ petition and released Mitchell, who has no felony or violent criminal convictions.
Mitchell was ordered to not possess any weapons unless it was part of his official duties while working on the naval base.