Bartlett man gets 4 years for Lisle road-rage shooting
Vaughn Atkins insists he was protecting his family when he fired a handgun at another vehicle following a traffic altercation earlier this year.
A DuPage County judge, however, decided Atkins caused a much greater public safety hazard and sentenced him to four years in prison.
Atkins, 42, of Bartlett, pleaded guilty in October to one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced him Wednesday to the prison term followed by two years of parole.
Prosecutors said the victim, Michael Ingram, was traveling south about 5:45 p.m. March 21 on I-355 just north of Ogden Avenue in Lisle when he switched lanes and cut off Atkins, forcing his vehicle to the shoulder. Atkins was traveling to a Chicago youth basketball tournament at the time with his wife, 15-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.
Atkins caught up with Ingram's SUV, ordered his wife and children to "get down," pointed a handgun at Ingram and pulled the trigger. The shot struck Ingram's vehicle in the driver's side rear passenger door.
Illinois State Trooper Christina Dickson testified during the sentencing hearing the bullet entered the post separating the vehicle's front door and the rear door.
Atkins then left the tollway at 75th Street and turned to head back north on I-355, prosecutors said.
Atkins also apologized to the judge for his actions and to his family for putting them through the past several months of court proceedings.
"I was looking at (Ingram) and I looked at the wall," Atkins said. "I was only thinking about protecting my family and in doing so I ignored the public safety and I understand that."
Ingram, who was in court for the proceedings, declined to testify or provide a victim impact statement. He also declined to comment following the sentencing decision.
Atkins, a youth basketball coach and community volunteer in the South Elgin community where his family once lived, was arrested March 24 at his home.
He has been out on bond since his arrest after posting the necessary $20,000 bail.
Atkins will begin serving his sentence immediately. He must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
"Simply put, when (Atkins) decided to open fire on a fellow motorist after being cut off, he let his road rage get the best of him," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement following the sentencing. "By shooting at the driver of another vehicle during rush hour traffic on a major expressway, (Atkins) put many motorists and passengers in grave danger. Thankfully, no one was hurt by (his) reckless behavior."
Attorney Jack Donahue, who represented Atkins, also declined to comment on the sentencing. He did express concern for Atkins' wife and children who were in court and testified during the hearing.
"All I can say is that in regard to his children," Donahue said, "the application of justice can be heart-wrenching."