Kenneth Snyder, a 33-year-old man from Hoffman Estates, found himself in a dangerous situation on December 20 when his car broke down on the Kennedy Expressway near Harlem Avenue. Frustrated that passing drivers wouldn’t stop to help him, Snyder allegedly fired a shot at a passing vehicle out of anger.
The incident unfolded in the 7500 block of West Higgins around 4:30 p.m. A 31-year-old woman called 911 to report that Snyder had flipped her off and shot at her as she drove by. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the woman’s vehicle was not hit by the bullet.
Police were able to track Snyder down with the help of the woman, who kept an eye on him until officers arrived. Upon approaching Snyder, they noticed a handgun sticking out of his bag. A subsequent search revealed a loaded .45-caliber pistol, ammunition magazines, and a shell casing that matched the ammunition in the gun.
During questioning, Snyder claimed that the shooting was an accidental discharge prompted by feeling cold and ignored by passing motorists. However, the victim stated that the gun was pointed directly at her when she saw the muzzle flash. In addition to the firearm charges, Snyder also faces allegations of possessing Xanax pills, heroin, and crack cocaine without proper authorization.
At his detention hearing, Snyder reportedly displayed disruptive behavior, leading Judge Deidre Dyer to deem him too dangerous to be released into the community. He now faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm toward an occupied vehicle, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault by discharging a firearm, and three narcotics-related felonies.
This shocking incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise on busy roadways and the importance of maintaining composure in challenging situations. The swift response of law enforcement prevented a potentially tragic outcome, highlighting the critical role they play in ensuring public safety.
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