Elgin man charged after accidentally shooting brother Sunday
Authorities have charged a 28-year-old man with several felonies after he accidentally shot his brother in the stomach Sunday morning while they were handling a revolver in his Elgin Township home.
Alejandro Garcia, of the 1100 block of Woodcliff Drive, faces felony charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of marijuana, destroying evidence and endangering a child, according to a police report. Authorities say Garcia’s 2-year-old child was in the room when the gun fired.
The most serious charge carries a three-year prison term, if found guilty, but probation also is an option.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office said South Elgin police stopped a car for speeding at 12:30 a.m. Sunday and learned that a 20-year-old passenger had been shot. The brothers told deputies their story and authorities went to the Woodcliff location and said they discovered: 35 grams of marijuana; that Garcia’s 2-year-old was in the bedroom at the time; and Garcia lacked a firearm owner’s identification card.
Deputies were not able to locate the gun. The brother did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
According to court records, Garcia has previous convictions for felony possession of a controlled substance in 2005 and a DUI in 2008. He violated his probation on the drug charge and was sentenced to 120 days in jail. Garcia was released Tuesday after posting $3,000 bond.