A Juneteenth celebration in a Willowbrook strip-mall parking lot that drew hundreds ended in gunfire, one death, and more than 20 wounded. Now, one of the men charged in connection with that 2023 mass shooting is scheduled to learn his fate in court on Thursday.
The defendant, Anthony Mothershed of Aurora, pleaded guilty earlier this year and is due in DuPage County court for sentencing. Prosecutors say he was among a group that opened fire during the gathering, though he is not charged with murder in the victim’s death, according to CBS Chicago.
Mothershed was admitted in January to aggravated discharge of a firearm and had previously been denied pretrial release, ABC7 Chicago reported. The station notes that his sentencing hearing is set for Thursday.
How prosecutors say the shooting unfolded
Authorities say gunfire broke out just after midnight on June 18, 2023, in a parking lot near Kingery Highway (Route 83) and Honeysuckle Rose Lane, where a large Juneteenth gathering was underway. Investigators later recovered multiple handguns, more than 100 shell casings, and video footage that prosecutors say helped them identify suspects, according to the Daily Herald.
The barrage of bullets killed 31-year-old father of two, Reginald Meadows, and wounded more than 20 people, prosecutors say.
The victim and the investigation
Meadows’ relatives have pushed for more information about what happened that night and say they still want answers about the investigation, the Sun-Times reported. That coverage notes that a wrongful-death lawsuit was filed after the shooting and that family members complained about delays in releasing police records.
Community leaders and neighbors told reporters the late-night Juneteenth gathering was meant to be a celebration before it turned chaotic, according to the Sun-Times.
What Mothershed faces in court
Under Illinois law, aggravated discharge of a firearm is generally a Class 1 felony that carries a potential prison term within the statutory range, and certain circumstances can elevate it to a Class X felony with harsher penalties and mandatory minimums, as outlined in the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Mothershed’s sentence will be set by a judge within that framework, and any plea terms or sentencing enhancements sought by prosecutors could factor into the final decision. For the statutory language, see 720 ILCS 5/24-1.2.
Two other men, Fredrick Turner and Franshun Jordan, were also arrested in connection with the case and face aggravated-discharge and weapons charges. They are due back in court in April, authorities told ABC7 Chicago, while earlier reporting in the Daily Herald details the arrests and charges.
DuPage County officials say the investigation remains active, and future court filings will determine whether additional charges or plea agreements emerge as the case moves forward.
