What started as a quiet night in Manhattan's Century East neighborhood turned chaotic two weeks ago when a burst of gunfire shattered the calm. Neighbors reported a string of shots on a residential street, and officers later collected 16 spent shell casings. No injuries were reported, but police say the incident was no harmless prank.
After a brief investigation, officers arrested 18-year-old Aiden Valera in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors have approved felony charges, and Valera is scheduled to appear in Will County court on July 1.
According to Patch, doorbell and neighborhood security cameras helped investigators zero in on a dark SUV seen rolling through the area. Officers later recovered 16 Winchester Luger shell casings scattered along Brynn Drive between North Street and Brett Drive.
Patch reports that Valera admitted to firing from the backseat of the SUV during what he allegedly described to investigators as a celebration with friends. After leaving the subdivision, the group kept driving and headed to an indoor go-kart facility in Mokena.
How police tracked the vehicle
Investigators leaned on technology to narrow the search. Officers used the department's automatic license-plate reader system to flag a Hyundai Tucson tied to the case and then coordinated with Mokena police when the car's movements showed up near Route 30 and Interstate 80, according to Southwest Regional Publishing.
"Locating and finding the suspect within hours of the crime occurring represents the dedication our officers have to protecting Manhattan residents," Chief Ryan Gulli told Southwest Regional Publishing in a statement.
Weapon recovered and charges
Police say Valera told investigators he bought a multi-colored Canik METE SF 9mm pistol on the street for about $1,000 and did not have a Firearm Owner's Identification, or FOID, card. He also admitted firing the gun, officers told Patch.
According to Patch, officers ultimately recovered the handgun after a friend's parents in New Lenox voluntarily turned it over to police. The magazine reportedly held 15 live rounds, and the chamber was empty when officers took possession of the firearm.
Charges, release and what the law says
The Will County State's Attorney has approved felony counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm. Valera was released on his own recognizance, according to Southwest Regional Publishing.
Under Illinois' updated pretrial rules, judges can only order a defendant held in custody if prosecutors present specific, articulable facts showing the person poses a present danger to others or a high risk of willful flight, as laid out by the Illinois General Assembly.
As the case moves toward Valera's July 1 hearing, Manhattan police are asking anyone with video or additional information about the shooting to contact the department. Local radio outlet WIVR has also covered the arrest and the charges.
