Man Accused Of Opening Fire In McHenry Deemed Fit To Stand Trial

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A 25-year-old Lake Villa man who faces attempted murder charges for opening fire on homes and cars in McHenry during the early morning hours of March 31 has been deemed fit to stand trial.

On Thursday, McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis said she used information from an evaluation conducted on Nicholas C. Lopardo by Mathers Clinic doctors, as well as her observations of the 25-year-old man, in making her determination, according to a Northwest Herald article.

She also entered not guilty pleas on Lopardo's behalf. Lopardo has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, armed violence, reckless discharge of a firearm, residential burglary, aggravated fleeing, aggravated DUI and criminal damage to property, according to online court records.

Lopardo was arrested at about 5 a.m. on March 31 — about four hours after police were first called to a home in the 3000 block of Charlotte Avenue in McHenry for a domestic disturbance, police said. Police said that they received reports of possible gunshots being fired during the disturbance and spotted Lopardo near John Street and Green Street driving a Jaguar at a high rate of speed.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but Lopardo is accused of failing to yield and police said they did not conduct a chase.

Police then received a second call of shots being fired near the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Barrellville Road, police said in a news release. While McHenry Police were responding to the call, a squad car was hit by gunfire along with a patrol vehicle belonging to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department, police said.

A third vehicle was also hit by gunfire, police said.

All three vehicles were occupied at the time, but no one was injured.

Reports of damaged windows and possible entry attempts to residences by the suspect were later reported in the Oaks of Irish Prairie neighborhood, police said. A shelter-in-place was issued while the area was searched for Lopardo, police said in the news release.

Lopardo is next expected in court on June 22 for a status hearing.