Cousin Shot Coming To Relative's Aid During Home Invasion: Police

WORTH TOWNSHIP, IL—A 38-year-old man is accused of shooting another man during a home invasion last Thursday in unincorporated Worth Township. Nicholas Huntington was charged with attempted murder, home invasion involving the discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery involving the discharge of a firearm.

The alleged home invasion unfolded just before 9 a.m. March 19 in a mobile home park in the 11700 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded to a call of a shooting. When officers entered the home, they found a 63-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. Another man was restraining the shooter, later identified as Huntington, sheriff’s police said.

Officers rendered emergency medical aid to the older man and secured Huntington. The 63-year-old man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition but is expected to survive. Huntington was also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Sheriff’s police said that Huntington broke into the home through a window. The homeowner fled the residence and contacted her 63-year-old cousin and 24-year-old nephew for help. Both responded to confront Huntington. The cousin was armed with a 9mm gun, police said.

When the cousin and nephew entered the home, police said they saw Huntington, who they alleged was holding a knife. After Huntington refused to drop it, police said a fight ensued, and they were able to disarm Huntington. During the struggle, authorities say the cousin placed his gun on a nearby table.

Police said Huntington lunged forward, grabbed the gun, and fired three rounds, striking the 63-year-old cousin.

Huntington was then subdued and disarmed by the nephew, according to police.

Police say Huntington told officers he believed he was being followed and entered the mobile home seeking safety. Police said Huntington admitted to firing the gun, but he was unsure if anyone was struck.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges on March 21. Huntington was ordered detained following his initial court appearance Tuesday at the Bridgeview Courthouse and is in custody at Cook County Jail. Huntington is due back in court April 15.