Man Fires Guns with Children in Vehicle, Charged with Child Endangerment
In a shocking incident, prosecutors have alleged that a man opened fire on a street in Rogers Park, Chicago, firing a gun with each hand and then throwing both loaded weapons into a nearby minivan where his eight young children were seated. What’s more, the children’s mother also allegedly tossed a loaded shotgun into the vehicle.
Zantarrian Ferguson, aged 33, and Daphanie Johnson, aged 32, have been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and eight counts of child endangerment. Both have been detained by Judge James Murphy.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. on April 27 when officers from the Rogers Park District witnessed Ferguson firing two guns at three men in the 7600 block of North Ashland Avenue.
According to a Chicago police report, Ferguson was seen firing a Glock pistol with his left hand and a mini-AK-47 with his right hand at the group of men. Shockingly, he used the Toyota minivan, where his eight children were seated, as cover during the gunfire.
After shooting at the men, Ferguson reportedly threw both loaded guns into the minivan where his children were present. Prosecutors claim that Johnson, who is the registered owner of the minivan, also threw a loaded shotgun into the vehicle while Ferguson was firing his weapons.
According to the CPD report, Johnson is described as Ferguson’s wife, and all eight children in the minivan are theirs. The children, whose last names are either Ferguson or Johnson, range in age from eight months to 12 years.
During the incident, Johnson allegedly told officers that she acted to protect her family, claiming that someone had fired at her.
This shocking incident underscores the dangers of reckless firearm use and the importance of keeping children safe from harm. The authorities have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the children involved in this disturbing incident.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned for further updates on our website.
