Bensenville man gets jail, probation for random shooting

A Bensenville man who prompted lockdowns at four schools when he went on a shooting rampage inside his own home was sentenced Monday to probation and jail.

Jose Bailon, 35, pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and cocaine possession in the March 13 shooting on the 200 block of South Mason Street.

Authorities said Bailon was under the influence of a combination of drugs when he randomly opened fire with a .380-caliber handgun about 10:30 a.m. Barricading himself in a bedroom, he then engaged police in a nearly four-hour standoff, which ended when tear gas was fired into his home, prosecutors said in court.

“He later stated to police he had taken (the painkiller) hydrocodone and cocaine, saying he had a bad day,” Assistant State’s Attorney Louisa Nuckolls said.

Bailon fired at least three rounds, one of which struck an unoccupied home next door, prosecutors said. The shooting prompted Bensenville Elementary District 2 to lock down four schools as hostage negotiators and SWAT officers tried to intervene.

Afterward, police found more than 15 grams of cocaine inside Bailon’s home.

DuPage County Judge John Kinsella sentenced Bailon to six months in jail and 30 months of probation. The plea agreement also calls for Bailon to pay $1,675 in court costs.