A judge denied pre-trial release to a father who is charged with murder after he allegedly shot his son five times, leaving him dead, along Route 120 in Lakemoor Sunday afternoon.
The Lakemoor Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Wauconda Fire District responded around 1:24 p.m. Sunday to the area of Route 120 and Darrell Road for a report of a shooting.
A 911 caller reported shots fired in the area with a person down in the roadway on Route 120, also known as Rand Road within the Village of Lakemoor.
Officers located a person who had been shot west of the intersection in the 100 block of Rand Road.
Police officials said officers rendered aid to the adult male victim.
Emergency radio traffic indicated the victim was unconscious and not breathing.
Fire officials told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that paramedics transported the victim to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry.
The victim was in critical condition at the time of transport, fire officials said, adding that no other injuries were reported at the scene.
Police officials said Sunday evening that the man had died in the hospital shortly after he arrived.
Police officials said a person of interest is in custody and there is no current threat to the public.
Court records show the suspect, identified as James R. Piezonka, 64, of Lakemoor, was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery and felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors later upgraded the charges to two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery and felon in possession of a firearm.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Piezonka discharged a firearm five times at the victim, who was his son.
The victim was shot five times in the torso and left arm, causing his death, the complaint said. Court documents said he was also shot in the buttocks and shoulder.
Piezonka then entered his vehicle and fled the area without rendering aid to the victim, the complaint said.
The complaint said Piezonka is a convicted felon and not allowed to possess any firearms.
The incident occurred in the westbound lanes of Route 120 in front of a residence.
A sedan, which was partially turned sideways in the roadway, and a motorcycle, which was lying on its side in the driveway of the residence, were part of the crime scene.
A motorcycle helmet was lying in the turn lane on Route 120 next to the car.
The Lakemoor Police Department said they requested assistance from the McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team.
Route 120 was shut down in both directions as police continued to investigate Sunday afternoon into the evening.
Court records show Piezonka and the victim both live at the residence where police were seen investigating.
The victim’s identity has not officially been released by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office as of Monday morning.
Piezonka was transported to the McHenry County Jail and appeared in court Monday afternoon for an initial appearance hearing.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Piezonka pending trial, calling him a real and present danger to the community.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition and noted that Piezonka is a convicted felon who was not supposed to possess a firearm. “In this case, he possessed a firearm and used it.”
Police have not released further details on what may have led to the shooting.
Piezonka is scheduled to appear in court again on March 11 for a status of preliminary hearing.