DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police James Kruger have announced that bond has been set for two Chicago men accused of opening fire at the Oak Brook Mall two days before Christmas.
Tyran Williams, 32, and Steven Lane, 29, each appeared at a bond hearing where bond was set in the amount of $1 million with 10 percent to apply for each man.
Williams has been charged with five counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class 1 felony) and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (Class 3 felony). Lane has been charged with one count of aggravated battery—discharge of a firearm (Class X felony), four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class 1 felony) and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 felony).
On Thursday, Dec. 23 at approximately 5:44 p.m., officers with the Oak Brook Police Department responded to a call of shots fired at the Oak Brook Mall. Upon their arrival, officers found four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the individuals, later identified as Williams, had been shot four times. It is alleged that officers found a Glock 9 mm handgun near Williams as they began to treat his gunshot wounds. Following an investigation into the shooting, led by the Oak Brook Police Department, it is alleged that Williams and Lane were in a verbal altercation when both men pulled out a handgun and began shooting at each other.
It is alleged that during the incident, both Lane and Williams fired their weapons resulting in Williams being struck four times and four innocent bystanders being struck by gunfire.
It is further alleged that after the shooting Lane fled the scene. Lane was taken into custody at the mall a short time later following a brief foot pursuit by a Nordstrom loss prevention officer and an Oak Brook police officer.
A Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun was also found near the Nordstrom store where Lane was running after the shooting. Williams was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. He was released from the hospital into police custody on Dec. 27. The innocent bystanders who were shot were also transported to a local hospital for medical attention. None of their injuries were life-threatening and they have all been released from medical care. When processing the scene, authorities found twelve fired 9 mm shell casings.
“The allegations that these two men opened fire in a crowded mall of between 15,000 to 20,000 people, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year are evidence of an unconscionable degree of violence and a complete and utter disregard for public safety,” Berlin said. “Make no mistake, in DuPage County public safety is our top priority and anyone who commits this type of violent crime in DuPage County will be apprehended, charged and, if found guilty, face a significant amount of time behind bars.
“We are all extremely grateful that the injuries sustained by the four innocent victims do not appear to be life-threatening and that they are all on the mend. I thank all the law enforcement agencies involved in this situation for their assistance. Within minutes, hundreds of police officers from across the county descended on the mall and quickly brought a chaotic situation under control.”
The next court appearance for Williams is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 20. The next court appearance for Lane is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 19. Both cases will be heard in front of Judge John Kinsella.
