Chicago man charged in Villa Park shooting

Villa Park police charged a Chicago man with a Class 2 felony after they say he shot a Villa Park resident with a shotgun during an altercation late Thursday night that involved four people.

Anthony Almendarez, 21, was charged Friday with unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon.

The shooting remains under investigation but police initially said gang activity was suspected.

Villa Park police were called to the 300 block of North Ardmore Avenue just before midnight Thursday for a fight in progress.

“It’s kind of sketchy how the fight started,” Sgt. Dan McCann said Friday. “Supposedly there were some gang signs flashed. That led to an argument, and that led to a fight that ended with one person (getting shot).”

The 32-year-old victim, who police did not identify, was shot in the arm. He is being treated at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries.

Two others in the fight were treated and released from Elmhurst Memorial. The victim and the suspect in the shooting do not know each other, McCann said.

Three people were taken into custody immediately after the shooting, McCann said. Almendarez was apprehended about a half-hour later at a nearby apartment, authorities said. The discarded shotgun was found near the scene.

Almendarez was taken to DuPage County jail and faces between three and 14 years in prison, if convicted. Other possible charges are still pending, police said.