Judge Orders Accused Bowling Alley Shooter to Surrender Weapons

Charles Holmes | Bridgeview Police Department

Updated, 4:25 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14

BRIDGEVIEW, IL --A Cook County judge ordered the man accused of firing a gun inside a Bridgeview alley to surrender his weapons, FOID card and conceal-carry permit to his local police station should he bond out of jail.

Charles Holmes, 23, of Chicago, appeared before Judge Peter Felice on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Bridgeview police said that Holmes fired off a round from his 9mm, Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun Sunday evening at El-Mar Bowl, 8435 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview.

Holmes had gotten into a verbal altercation with another male patron who he accused of flirting with his girlfriend, police said.

When employees told Holmes to leave the bowling alley, police said he went back to his vehicle to retrieve his gun. Holmes confronted the same patron and raised the weapon over his head. According to the charges, the other man grabbed the gun and the two got into a struggle. Holmes fired off a shot into the floor.

Police apprehended Holmes as he ran out the back entrance of the bowling alley. The gun was found in Holmes’ pants with nine live rounds and one in the chamber. Another shell casing was found inside the bowling alley, prosecutors said.

No one was struck or injured inside the bowling alley when the gun was fired, police said.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Holmes was a student at Chicago State University. He had a valid FOID card and conceal carry permit, confirmed earlier by Bridgeview police.

Holmes has a prior theft conviction in 2012, for which he received supervision, prosecutors said.

Judge Felice told the student he was likely to lose his conceal carry permit.

“You had no business taking the gun into a place that serves alcohol,” the judge said. “You should have learned that in [conceal carry] class.

Bail was set at $15,000, with ten percent to apply. The ordered Holmes to surrender any weapons he owns, FOID card and conceal carry permit to police as a condition of bond.

Holmes is due back in court in Bridgeview on Jan. 8.

Original story -- A South Side man was arrested after he fired a gun inside a Bridgeview bowling alley Sunday evening during an argument with another man who he accused of flirting with his girlfriend, police said.

Charles Holmes, 23, of Chicago, was charged with one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Bridgeview Police responded to El-Mar Bowl, 8435 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview, around 8:57 p.m. for a fight in progress. When officers entered the business they heard a single gunshot being fired inside the bowling alley. Patrons pointed out a man running around inside El-Mar who had discharged a handgun, according to a police news release.

Police said Holmes tried to leave the scene but was taken into custody without incident. A Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found inside Holmes’ pants pocket.

Holmes was apparently involved in a verbal argument with another male patron, which escalated into a physical altercation. Police said Holmes accused the other man of flirting with his girlfriend.

After employees kicked Holmes out of the bowling alley, he went to his vehicle and allegedly retrieved his gun. Police said Holmes came back a few minutes later and confronted the other patron.

Holmes allegedly displayed the handgun and raised it toward the man. The man grabbed the gun and a struggle ensured. Police said Holmes fired a shot that hit the floor of the bowling alley. No one was struck or injured by the discharge.

Police said Holmes had a valid FOID card and a conceal-carry permit. In addition to the felony charge, Holmes was also charged with one misdemeanor count of battery.

Holmes has a bond hearing in Bridgeview on Monday afternoon.

This story has been updated with new information.