Charges Filed In Aurora Grocery Store Parking Lot Shooting: Cops

AURORA, IL — Multiple weapons charges have been filed against a North Aurora man after he allegedly fired multiple rounds at two men in a grocery store parking lot in Aurora. Joshua J. Hampton, 26, has been charged with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card in connection with the June 17 incident.

Police say Hampton was driving an SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 1200 block of N. Lake St. when he saw two men in their 20s having an argument. According to police, Hampton drove past the men slowly and pointed a gun at them through his car window.

One of the victims, a 22-year-old man with a valid FOID and concealed carry card, then fired a single shot toward Hampton's vehicle. The shot shattered the back window of Hampton's SUV, but he was not struck, police say.

Hampton then allegedly drove around the grocery store parking lot two times before firing off two rounds to "scare the other two men," according to a police summary. No one was injured in the shooting.

Police used security footage from businesses near the grocery to track down Hampton and a 23-year-old female at a nearby hotel, where Hampton was taken into custody. Police say the woman was not charged.

Image via Aurora Police Department