Aung Kyaw, a 22-year-old man, has found himself in legal trouble once again after being accused of shooting a driver during an argument in West Rogers Park. This incident occurred just days after Kyaw was released on felony pretrial release from a previous arrest earlier in the month. The charges brought against him include attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, and he is set to appear in court for a detention hearing.
The shooting took place on Wednesday evening on the 2300 block of West Devon Avenue. A 31-year-old man was sitting in his vehicle when an argument ensued with a pedestrian. The altercation escalated, leading to the pedestrian shooting the driver in the abdomen before fleeing the scene. The victim was rushed to St. Francis Hospital in serious condition.
A witness described the shooter as a young Hispanic male, approximately 4 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a white shirt and white shorts. Initially, no suspects were in custody, but police were able to apprehend Kyaw shortly after the incident.
This recent incident is not Kyaw’s first brush with the law. In a separate incident on July 6, he was arrested for aggravated assault and felony narcotics possession following a shots fired call in Albany Park. Despite being released from custody without seeing a judge, Kyaw now faces more serious charges and will have to await a judge’s decision on his detention.
This case adds to the growing concern over individuals committing crimes while on pretrial release for felony allegations. Kyaw is the ninth person this year to be charged with a violent offense while on pretrial release, with the series of incidents highlighting the potential dangers of the current system.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community waits to see the outcome of Kyaw’s case and how it will be addressed within the criminal justice system. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges surrounding pretrial release and the need for effective solutions to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.