Algonquin murder case awaits autopsy

Authorities are waiting on the results of an autopsy scheduled for Friday to piece together what led to the death of a 51-year-old Algonquin man whose 16-year-old son faces charges of shooting him to death earlier this week.

David W. Szalonek, 16, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brian D. Szalonek. Police and court records say he was shot in the head at their home on the 1400 block of Westbourne Parkway.

Authorities have been reluctant to say what led to the shooting, but Algonquin Deputy Chief Ed Urban said Wednesday the younger Szalonek shot his father in his father's bedroom some time after the two had an argument.

Urban said his department's investigation shows that Brian Szalonek may have been asleep at one point but was awake when it happened. Urban also said David and Brian Szalonek were the only two people in the room at the time of the shooting and that no other family members were involved.

Police found multiple guns in the Algonquin home, Urban said, adding that only one was used in the shooting.

"It appears that the guns were owned legally," Urban said.

Police have also been told David Szalonek suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, but have not been able to confirm this, Urban said.

Before the shooting, Algonquin police have only been in contact with the Szalonek family once, in June 2009, for an argument between David Szalonek's brother and mother that resulted in no charges.

David Szalonek was taken to the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center, where he would have to post $250,000 to be released. A woman who answered the phone at the detention center said she was not allowed to say whether Szalonek had posted bond or was still being held there.

His next court date is Feb. 18.