Waukegan man pleads not guilty in Fox Lake tavern shooting
A Waukegan man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to various charges alleging he shot a bouncer outside of a Fox Lake tavern in March.
Keith Lee Jr., 21, could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge of aggravated battery when his case goes to trial June 1, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Stella Veytsel said.
Lee also faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He remains held in Lake County jail on $750,000 bail.
Lee and friends were at Pug Mahones Irish Pub & Grill in the 200 block of East Grand Avenue at 2:45 a.m. Feb 28 when a brawl started inside the bar, authorities said.
Bouncers escorted Lee and his friends outside, when one of Lee's friends was pushed down a flight of stairs outside of the tavern, authorities said. The man struck his face on a vehicle bumper and shouted that he had been hit in the head by a bottle, authorities said.
Lee pulled out a handgun and fired two rounds at the bouncers standing at the top of the stairs, according to authorities. Bouncer Tim Reid was struck in the right shoulder, authorities said.
Lee then jumped into the passenger side of a vehicle and fired two more shots through an open window at the bar as the car drove away, authorities said.
The vehicle carrying Lee was stopped by police after a person who witnessed the shooting tailed them through Fox Lake, authorities said.
Reid was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where he was treated and released. The person who was pushed down the stairs was treated at Centegra Hospital in McHenry for injuries he suffered in the fall, authorities said.
Lee is due back in court May 21, Veytsel said.