West Chicago teen charged in gang-related shooting

A DuPage County judge set bail Wednesday at $500,000 for a West Chicago teen accused of shooting a man in the shoulder during a gang-related confrontation.

Juan Calderon, 15, of the 1900 block of Gates Street, has been charged as an adult with one count of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Authorities said Calderon was with fellow gang members about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when they encountered an acquaintance on Blakely Street between Blair and Stimmel streets in a residential area of West Chicago.

After exchanging words, Calderon repeatedly fired a .38-caliber handgun at the acquaintance, but instead struck an 18-year-old man who was with the acquaintance, Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Knight said in court.

Police were in the area on an unrelated call and arrested Calderon after a brief chase. The teen later confessed, and police recovered the firearm, according to prosecutors, who said the victim was treated for a shoulder wound and released from Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

Knight said “numerous members of the public, including a mother with her young child” witnessed the shooting. He called Calderon a “danger to the public.”

Judge Anthony Coco set bail at $500,000, meaning Calderon would have to post $50,000 to bond out.

If the teen is released, he must adhere to a 9 p.m. curfew, wear a tracking device and have no contact with gang members, among other conditions, the judge ruled.

If convicted, Calderon could face six to 30 years in prison, prosecutors said. His next court date is Aug. 5 in front of Judge John Kinsella.

State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said the case was “particularly disturbing considering (Calderon) allegedly opened fire in a residential neighborhood in the middle of the afternoon.”