Lombard man charged with shooting ex-girlfriend's mom in drive-by

A Lombard man was angry with his ex-girlfriend about their joint bank account Tuesday when he drove past her house and opened fire, striking her mother through a wall, prosecutors said Wednesday.

DuPage County Judge James Orel set bail at $1 million for 19-year-old Markeith Williams, who faces charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Williams sent a text message about 6 p.m. Tuesday threatening to shoot up his ex-girlfriend's home in Wheaton after arguing with her about a bank account they shared, authorities said.

Less than two hours later, after the ex-girlfriend refused to give him their debit card, Williams drove past her house and fired one shot from a 9 mm handgun, prosecutors said. The bullet tore through a wall and other items before striking the ex-girlfriend's mother in the shoulder while she was in bed watching TV.

Williams was arrested peacefully Wednesday following an investigation by Wheaton police. The age of the shooting victim was not immediately available.

“Thankfully, the victim in this shooting is expected to make a full recovery from her injuries,” State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a news release. “This type of blatant disregard for the general public, as is alleged in this case, will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.”

In court Wednesday, Williams told Orel he was likely to post the necessary $100,000 bond to be released from jail. Based on that, the judge denied his request for a public defender. Williams also was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device and to have no contact with the victims if he is released.

Williams, of the 1100 block of Hunter Street, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge. His next court date is Feb. 25 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.