Teen Indicted In 2021 Carjacking That Left Woman Paralyzed

AURORA, IL — A 17-year-old boy has been indicted after a January 2021 carjacking that left a woman permanently paralyzed, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Ishmail Gonzalez, of Harvey, was charged with seven offenses: attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, two counts of armed violence, aggravated vehicular carjacking, two counts of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm without a Firearm Owners Identification Card.

The teenager was originally charged as a juvenile, but he will be tried as an adult after Kane County Judge Sandra Parga granted prosecutors' request to transfer the matter to adult court.

The incident dates back to more than a year ago when prosecutors said Gonzalez shot a woman with a handgun and stole her car in the 1200 block of North Orchard Road in Aurora.

The 47-year-old woman, who was shot while eating a meal in the parking lot of a Wendy's fast-food restaurant Jan. 16, was tossed to the ground after she was pulled out of her car by several men, Patch previously reported.

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The shooting left her permanently paralyzed, officials said.

Gonzalez was 15 at the time and not eligible for a Firearm Owners Identification Card, KCSA officials said.

After Parga's ruling to handle the matter in adult court, prosecutors presented their case in front of a grand jury, officials said. Judge John Barsanti set the teenager's bail for $500,000, with 10 percent to apply for bond.

Gonzalez appeared in a Kane County courtroom for a bond hearing Thursday. His next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. April 6 in Courtroom 313 at the Kane County Judicial Center.