Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin has announced charges against two Chicago men who allegedly opened fire on each other in the crowded suburban Oak Brook Mall on Dec. 23.

The alleged gunmen are Steve Lane, 29, and Tyran Williams, 32.

Williams underwent surgery following incident to repair injuries from four gunshot wounds.

Four other bystanders — three women and a man — were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Lane, of the 6900 block of South Cregier Avenue, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery, discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card.

Williams, of the 7000 block of South Fairfield Avenue, has been charged with four counts of aggravated battery, discharge of a firearm and for being a felon in the possession of a firearm.

Both are being held on $1,000,000 bond.

Williams is a previous gun and drug offender. In 2016 he was cited for possessing a firearm without a concealed carry license and possession of a controlled substance.

The shooting terrorized shoppers who huddled for safety in nearby stores. The Oak Brook Mall was on lockdown until late in the evening after the Christmastime violence.

Family members of those inside the mall gathered in the parking lot awaiting answers to the condition on their loved ones.

Violent crime has soared in the region with over 1,000 homicides in Cook County in 2021, the most since 1994.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s reformed prosecution standards have been accused of fueling the crime crisis.

Leaders from surrounding areas have said the climate is one of rogue criminality.

In nearby Lombard, Police Chief Roy Newton said the criminals who should be locked up in Chicago victimize surrounding areas.

“Those offenders go out and continue to commit more crimes,” Newton said.

In Orland Park, Mayor Keith Pekau put the blame squarely on Foxx.

“It puts a lot of pressure on all the police departments around, but we're all trying to cooperate to make sure this doesn't happen,” Pekau told South Cook News of violent crimes in the area. “The big thing is we're not getting cooperation from Kim Foxx. Obviously, all this stuff from Chicago, we know what's happening in Chicago and it's bleeding all over.”