Teen Is 2nd To Plead Guilty In Carjacking That Paralyzed Woman

AURORA, IL — A 17-year-old teenager is the second to plead guilty in the 2021 case of a violent carjacking that left a woman permanently paralyzed, officials said.

Ishmail Gonzalez, of Harvey, agreed to a 40-year prison sentence at the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to two felony charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and armed violence.

The teen's sentence comprises 25 years for the aggravated vehicular hijacking offense and 15 for the armed violence offense. Gonzalez is required by Illinois law to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, for which he receives credit for the 579 days spent in the Kane County jail.

The offenses stem from a Jan. 16, 2021, incident in which the Harvey teen and three others stole a car in the parking lot of a Wendy's in the 1200 block of North Orchard Road in Aurora.

As the men struggled with Kim Weibring, the car owner who was seated inside, she pushed and pulled before Gonzalez fired at least three shots from a handgun. One bullet hit Weibring, permanently paralyzing her, officials said Wednesday.

When Aurora police arrived, they found the woman, who was 47 at the time, injured on the ground, Patch reported.

"No one will ever begin to understand Mr. Gonzalez’s cold-hearted decision to shoot this victim, especially given that she was outnumbered, 4 to 1," Assistant State's Attorney Mark Stajdohar said in a statement. "His cowardly choices stand in stark contrast to the victim, who is courageously rebuilding her life."

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Gonzalez follows in the footsteps of his co-defendant, 27-year-old Edward McGee, who accepted a 35-year sentence in November in exchange for pleading guilty to an aggravated vehicular hijacking charge, Patch reported.

Officials said the case against a third co-defendant, Darrell Frazier, is pending.

"We at the Aurora Police Department are grateful for the efforts of all the individuals that have worked hard to seek justice in this horrific case," Chief Keith Cross said in a statement. "No amount of incarceration will make up for the devastating injuries inflicted on the victim by these violent criminals, but it is our hope that this sentence will help the victim and her family on their path forward."

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