Man Arrested In I-294 Road Rage Shooting Near Des Plaines

DES PLAINES, IL — A Morton Grove man has been arrested after Illinois State Police said a road rage incident escalated into a shooting Monday night on Interstate 294 near Des Plaines.

Victor M. Fernandez, 65, of Morton Grove, was charged Wednesday with one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, according to Illinois State Police.

Illinois State Police said troopers responded at around 8:35 p.m. June 8 to a report of an expressway shooting on northbound I-294 near Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines.

After an alleged road rage incident, Fernandez fired a weapon at the victim’s vehicle, according to police. The vehicle was not struck, and no injuries were reported.

Troopers quickly identified the suspect vehicle and shared the information with local police, according to ISP.

With help from the Morton Grove Police Department, troopers located Fernandez at his residence, where he was taken into custody, police said.

On Wednesday, Illinois State Police presented the case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Fernandez was charged.

He remained in custody pending his first court appearance, police said.

Illinois State Police reminded drivers not to engage with aggressive drivers.

“If you are the victim of road rage or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it,” ISP said.

The charge is an accusation, and Fernandez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.