Evergreen Park Man Accused of Recklessly Shooting Gun While Family is Present

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- An Evergreen Park man known to police was arrested after he discharged a gun in his basement while several family members -- including children -- were present inside the house, police said Monday in court.

Auldwin Metzler, 46, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Police were in court asking the judge to set bond because Metzler was being treated for a heart condition at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park.

An Evergreen Park detective told Cook County Judge Peter Felice that officers responded to a disturbance at a home in the 9600 block of South California Avenue, around 11:10 Nov. 26. . The prosecutor said Metzler had gotten into an argument with his wife with their daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren were over visiting.

Metzler’s wife had tried to hide her husband’s gun when he found it and took it into the basement, the prosecutor said. There, the family claims they heard a single gunshot.

Metzler was not on the scene when police arrived. Officers found him in the 2700 block of West 96th Place with a gun tucked in his waistband. Officers confiscated a loaded 38-caliber Taurus revolver with five live rounds and a spent shell in the chamber, the prosecutor said.

The detective told the judge that officers found a spent shell casing in the basement and 32 bullet hole in the ceiling. Police also pulled two spent shell casings from the dry wall.

Metzler has past convictions for damage to government property in 2005 and aggravated assault with a gun and knife in 2011. He also has eight prior misdemeanor arrests, the prosecutor said.

“He has a long history with the Evergreen Park Police Department on domestic calls,” the detective said, adding that Metzler’s wife drop the charges after a month or so.

Bail was set at $100,000. Judge Felice also ordered Metzler not to contact his family while the case is pending. Metzler’s next court appearance is Dec. 19.