
Prosecutors say a man pushed a child and threatened to shoot his family after becoming angry that his wife would not give him back his guns, which he retrieved and was illegally possessing, in Gurnee.
Adam L. Zielonka, 44, of Gurnee, was charged with possession of a firearm with a revoked FOID, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, domestic battery and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said Zielonka’s Firearm Owner’s Identification card (FOID) was revoked in November following a domestic disturbance where police filed a “Clear and Present Danger” report on him.
The woman involved sought an order of protection and Zielonka was also admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Zielonka no longer lives in the Gurnee home following the incident but his wife and two children remained living there, Shepherd said.
Zielonka frequently comes over to the residence to visit the children.
The wife hid Zielonka’s guns that he owned because she knew his FOID card was revoked and he has mental health issues, Shepherd said.
Zielonka went to the home on January 1 and an argument ensued between him and his wife.
One of the children told Zielonka to leave his mother alone and Zielonka pushed the child in the chest, Shepherd said.
Shepherd said Zielonka walked to the garage and retrieved a pistol and a revolver.
He walked through the house in front of his two children and wife while waving the guns and yelling at his family, Shepherd said.
Shepherd said the man then put the guns in the trunk of his car. One of the children called 911 and reported Zielonka was armed and threatening to kill everyone.
Zielonka walked back to his wife and threatened to shoot her and her parents if his hidden guns were not returned to him by the next day, Shepherd said.
Police located Zielonka and he admitted there was an argument about his gun.
He also admitted to retrieving two of the guns and placing them in his trunk before transporting them to his parents’ home, Shepherd said. Zielonka also admitted to threatening to shoot his wife’s parents if she did not return the rest of his guns.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted a petition to detain Zielonka pending trial after prosecutors sought his detainment in the Lake County Jail.
Zielonka is scheduled to appear in court again on January 30 for an arraignment hearing.