A judge denied pre-trial release for an “inherently dangerous” man accused of shooting into a residence and at police officers in North Chicago earlier this week.
The North Chicago Police Department responded around 1:10 a.m. Monday to the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue in North Chicago for a report of a domestic disturbance in progress.
North Chicago Police Department Management Analyst Freddrick Diez told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that officers arrived and began conducting an investigation.
They learned a subject, later identified as Jimel R. Houser, 41, of North Chicago, was inside the residence armed with a gun and had battered someone.
A perimeter was set up around the building and an officer spotted Houser climbing out of a front window, Diez said.
The man began running toward Glenn Drive and the officer pursued him.
Houser turned around while running and pointed a gun at the officer before firing a round, Diez said.
He then fired additional shots at other officers and continued to flee, Diez said.
A perimeter was set up and numerous law enforcement agencies were called to the scene.
Multiple police canines and multiple drones from numerous police departments were deployed in the area as a search began.
Houser was located after approximately 20 minutes and was found still in possession of the firearm, Diez said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said Houser was holding a revolver and threw it to the ground when officers approached.
Diez said Houser was “very combative” and transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan following his arrest.
No officers were injured and none of them fired shots during the ordeal. “They did an amazing job and showed a tremendous amount of discretion,” Diez said.
Diez said the assisting law enforcement agencies were greatly helpful in the search effort.
Investigators later learned that Houser also fired shots into a residence prior to officers arriving for the initial domestic disturbance call.
Vukovich said that officers who spoke to the two victims, Houser’s wife and one of their sons, learned that Houser was intoxicated throughout the day leading up to the incident.
Houser called and threatened his family members during the day and fired multiple shots at their residence, Vukovich said.
One of the victims reported that Houser broke into the residence through a window and damaged items inside.
Vukovich said Houser pushed one of the victims, pulled out a revolver and pointed the gun at both victims while threatening to shoot both of them.
Houser has a slew of traffic and criminal cases in Lake County, court records show.
Houser is a convicted felon and has prior convictions for a drug offense and domestic battery out of Lake County.
He is also on parole from the domestic battery conviction.
Houser was charged with four counts of attempted murder of a police officer, four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer, armed habitual criminal, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Nine of the 15 charges are Class X felonies — the most serious felony in Illinois besides murder.
Houser has since been released from the hospital and was transported to the Lake County Jail.
He appeared in First Appearance Court Wednesday morning and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Lake County Judge Raymond Collins ordered Houser temporarily held in custody until a detention hearing could be held.
Houser appeared in front of Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak for the detention hearing Thursday afternoon.
Vukovich presented the details of the case to Potkonjak and said “there are no conditions or combinations” to mitigate the risk of flight if Houser is released pre-trial, citing a prior fleeing police case.
Houser’s public defender said his client denies the allegations and maintains his innocence.
After hearing the details, Potkonjak ordered Houser held in the Lake County Jail pending trial.
“He is a real and present threat to everybody out there,” Potkonjak said. “He is inherently dangerous to the public,” he added.
Potkonjak said that if Houser is released, “the court has no doubt he would flee,” given the man’s criminal history.
Houser remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 4.