Bond set to $1 million each for two men charged in the Oak Brook Mall shooting
OAK BROOK - Two suspects involved in the Oak Brook Mall shooting on Dec. 23 appeared in bond court Wednesday, where bond was set to $1 million each.
The suspects, 29-year-old Steve Lane and 32-year-old Tyran Williams are accused of opening fire at the Oakbrook Center just two days before Christmas while it was packed with holiday shoppers.
"We got a page of a mass shooting and it said everybody available please come, so it was scary," said DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.
DuPage County records state that Williams is facing five counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Lane is facing four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon with no FOID card.
Around 5:44 p.m. on Dec. 23, two people started shooting at each other near the Ann Taylor and Auntie Anne's at the Oakbrook Center. Prosecutors say it all started with an argument.
"The defendants Williams and Lane then each pulled out a 9 millimeter handgun and began shooting at each other. In all, a total of 12 gun shots were fired," said DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin.
An Oak Brook officer working detail in Nordstrom heard the shots and immediately responded. After reports came in of shots fired, police and other emergency personnel surrounded the mall.
This all happened when mall security estimates between 15,000 and 20,000 people filled the Oak Brook mall.
One of the individuals who fired shots and three female bystanders were injured, police said. The shooter was hit four times: once in the left thigh, right thigh, right calf, and lower back, police said. Another woman fractured her ankle while running from gunfire.
All are expected to recover.
The mall reopened the following morning at 10 a.m. with a heavy police presence.
Police praise a swift and sizable law enforcement response, but also shoppers who helped.
"We were able to take these two people into custody almost immediately due to the assistance of heroic citizens that were present that were there to assist police as well as some of the security professionals that were in the mall," said James Kruger, Oak Brook Chief of Police.
With the two suspects behind bars, prosecutors expect to talk to a third man soon, seen on surveillance wearing a blue puffy coat.
"The argument that occurred was between defendant Williams and this third person in the blue puffer jacket prompting Williams and Lane to take out their guns and start shooting." said Berlin.
Police insist this was an isolated incident and that the second largest mall in the Chicago area is safe.
"We're going to continue our stepped up efforts throughout the holiday season and also look at different policies going forward to make sure people feel safe. Because that's just as important as being safe," said Chief Kruger.