One late-night gunshot in Glendale Heights turned into every parent’s nightmare scenario, as prosecutors say a bullet tore through an apartment wall and landed in a mattress next to a sleeping child while three other kids lay nearby. The round allegedly came from the unit next door on the 600 block of East Fullerton Avenue, just before 10:40 p.m. Thursday. No one was physically hurt, but one child ended up with drywall dust on their neck, and the incident led a judge to order the neighbor to give up his guns while the case moves forward.
The neighbor, identified by authorities as 34-year-old Kyle Lucki, appeared in court Friday on a felony charge and was released under conditions instead of being held in jail as the case proceeds.
Prosecutors say the shot came from next door and into kids’ bedroom
According to DuPage County prosecutors, officers were called to the building around 10:38 p.m. after a 911 report of shots fired. Investigators determined a single round had entered the neighboring apartment through a shared wall and traveled into a bedroom where four children were asleep. Prosecutors allege Lucki was handling a CZ E-09 9mm pistol when it went off, sending the projectile through the wall and into the kids’ room. Those details came from a DuPage County State’s Attorney statement, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Police say two pistols were found in defendant’s apartment
During a protective sweep of Lucki’s unit, officers reportedly found two pistols. Investigators linked one of those firearms to the shot that pierced the wall and ended up in the children’s bedroom, prosecutors say. The bullet was found lodged in a mattress next to the youngest child, and one of the children had drywall dust on their neck after the strike. Local coverage from My Suburban Life (Shaw Local) includes the State’s Attorney’s description of the scene, as well as the reported ages of the children in the room.
Judge releases defendant with conditions after first court appearance
At Lucki’s initial appearance Friday, DuPage County prosecutors asked a judge to detain him before trial. The judge denied that request and instead ordered him released with conditions, including no contact with the victims and the surrender of any firearms to the Glendale Heights Police Department. Lucki faces one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 2. Those procedural details were provided by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and summarized by FOX 32 Chicago.
What reckless discharge means under Illinois law
Under Illinois law, reckless discharge of a firearm is a Class 4 felony, which applies when a gun is fired in a way that endangers someone else. A conviction can carry possible prison time and other penalties set out in state statute. The classification and statutory language are laid out in the Illinois Criminal Code, as summarized on the legal reference site Justia.
Officials say case is a warning on gun safety
In the aftermath, local officials have been quick to note that this could have been far worse. Glendale Heights Police Chief George Pappas said, “Commonsense gun safety measures are paramount for all responsible gun owners,” and thanked responding officers for their quick work. His comments, along with the prosecutor’s remarks about the near miss, were included in coverage by My Suburban Life (Shaw Local).
