Chicago Ridge Man Angry About Fireworks Points Loaded Assault Rifle at Resident: Prosecutor

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- Bail was set at $100,000 for a Chicago Ridge man accused of pointing a loaded assault rifle at another resident who he thought lit off a firework, prosecutors said. James Capek, 28, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon.

The prosecutor said the resident was walking home from playing basketball in Oak Lawn around 1:50 a.m. July 3. As the resident cut through the parking lot of an apartment building in the 10600 block of South Major Avenue in Chicago Ridge, a loud firecracker blew off. The next sound the resident heard was a car door open and an AR-15 being racked.

According to the charges, Capek advanced toward the resident pointing the weapon. The resident got scared and ran away. When police went to Capek’s residence, he allegedly admitted to coming down with the rifle. The prosecutor said the resident was not in possession of any fireworks.

Capek also told police where they could find the weapon, which was under his bed. The prosecutor said the magazine was not in the weapon.

“No one should point a gun at anyone,” Judge Felice said before setting bail. “He’s a danger.”

The judge ordered Capek to hand over his FOID card and weapons to the Chicago Ridge Police Department. Capek is due back in court July 27 in Bridgeview.