A 44-year-old Homewood man is facing multiple felonies after a Sheriff’s Police investigation found he struck a woman with a firearm following a Bears-Packers watch party.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on December 7. A woman approached Sheriff’s Police officers, who were handling an unrelated traffic crash near Joe Orr Road and Stoney Island Avenue, and reported that her passenger had a gun and was trying to kill her.
Officers quickly located the man, later identified as Jabari Gates, and took him into custody. A firearm was recovered by officers in the snow nearby. A magazine was also found in the vehicle after the victim consented to a search.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Sheriff’s Police Detectives learned that Gates had been arguing with the victim in the vehicle while they were returning from the Chicago watch party. During the argument, Gates pulled out a firearm, struck her with it, and pointed the gun at her while preventing her from calling 911.
On December 9, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against Gates, including aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon, aggravated domestic battery, and possession of a firearm – repeat felony offender.
Gates was ordered into Cook County Jail custody on December 10 following his initial court appearance at the Markham Courthouse.
Note to the Public: Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
