
A convicted felon has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he attacked a victim and then engaged in a shootout in Zion after being confronted by another armed person who witnessed the attack.
Shannon Hughes, 50, of Zion, was indicted by a Lake County grand jury last month on charges of armed habitual criminal, aggravated discharge of a firearm, two counts of enhanced felon in possession of a firearm, three counts of enhanced aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm.
The Zion Police Department responded around 7:30 p.m. on June 24 to the 1600 block of Loreli Drive for a report of shots fired.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said in court that the property manager showed surveillance video to the officers.
The video showed Hughes getting into a verbal argument with an unknown person, Theis said.
Hughes pulled out a gun and held it at his side, Theis said. Hughes continued arguing with the individual and then punched him.
The two began fighting and wrestling. Hughes swung the gun, hitting the unknown person and resulting in a shot being fired, Theis said.
Another person was seen exiting a van near the fight and fired at least one shot in the direction of Hughes.
Theis said Hughes returned fire by shooting at least two rounds in the second person’s direction.
Everyone left the scene but Hughes returned to the area when officers were on the scene, Theis said.
Theis said Hughes has “little regard for human life” and it is lucky that no one was seriously injured in the incident.
Hughes has prior convictions for attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, armed violence and drug offenses.
Lake County Judge Ari Fisz granted a petition to detain Hughes in the Lake County Jail pending trial.
Hughes pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment hearing on July 18.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 26 for a case management conference.