Boot camp likely for teen who accidentally shot himself in legs at Aurora restaurant

A 19-year-old Broadview man has been sentenced to prison - with a recommendation for boot camp - for shooting himself in the legs while playing with a gun in his pocket at an Aurora restaurant in early 2018.

Sedrick Cooper, Jr., of the 2100 block of South 21st Avenue, pleaded guilty in early January to reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, both felonies, according to Kane County court records.

After his guilty plea, Cooper's bail was revoked and he was sent to the Kane County jail, records show. Kane County Judge Clint Hull issued a 14-month prison sentence late last week with a recommendation Cooper be put into a six-month boot camp.

Officials at the Illinois Department of Corrections have the final say on whether Cooper will be placed in boot camp, but rarely deny a recommendation.

If Cooper fails to complete boot camp, he must serve the remainder of his prison sentence.

The most severe charge carried a top punishment of three years in prison. Cooper also was eligible for probation.

According to police, Cooper was playing with a .25-caliber automatic pistol while sitting at a booth at a fast-food restaurant on the 1300 block of East New York Street about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2018, when the gun went off.

Cooper was hit in his legs and tried to flee, police said. He was caught a short time later at East New York and Kendall streets after officers reviewed security video at the restaurant, police said.

No one else was injured. Paramedics took Cooper to a hospital for treatment, and then jail.

Under state law, Cooper can have his prison sentence cut in half for good behavior. He also gets credit for 64 days served at the jail.