Western Springs Gun Suspects Deny Allegations

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The two men accused of pointing an unloaded gun at a co-worker last year in Western Springs denied the allegation.

The incident was reported as happening last July at the Animal Hospital of Western Springs, 905 55th St.

Cesar Y. Chaidez, 27, of Chicago, and Manuel Paredes, 24, of Joliet, were charged with disorderly conduct.

The victim was a 23-year-old woman working at the clinic, police said.

After the incident, Patch obtained the police report.

According to the report, Chaidez showed up to work with a gun, played with it and showed it off to the 23-year-old and Paredes, the report said.

Chaidez pointed the unloaded gun at the woman and then pulled the trigger, police said. This placed the woman in "reasonable apprehension of receiving battery," according to the report.

Paredes also played around with the gun and pointed it at the woman, police said.

Last August, the police declined to give Patch the statements that the men gave after the incident. The department said such a release had a "substantial likelihood" of jeopardizing their right to a fair trial. Most departments in the area divulge such information.

Since then, Patch has filed regular records requests for the suspects' written statements. On Thursday, the police department provided them.

In his statement, Chaidez said Paredes was looking at guns in a magazine and then online. Chaidez asked Paredes whether he wanted to check his gun.

Chaidez said he triple-checked to make sure his gun was unloaded.

"As we were examining the gun, (the woman) was recording us without knowing," Chaidez wrote. "As I turned to her, I noticed her phone, and she put (it) away quickly. So I quickly took my gun and showed her."

The woman asked to hold the gun and inquired how it could be used to hit someone, Chaidez said.

"That's when I got my gun back and put (it) away safely in my holster," Chaidez said.

Paredes' statement was similar. He said he was checking for guns in a magazine after the clinic was done with its appointments.

Paredes said he was interested in buying a gun now that he had a state firearm owner's identification card, or FOID.

Chaidez handed Paredes his gun.

"I was being safe looking at how it works... didn't aim it at anyone," Paredes wrote.

He said he was unaware the woman was taking video.

Paredes, too, said the woman asked to see the weapon and about how to beat someone with it.

"We just chuckled at the question and then she handed it back to (Cesar)," Paredes said.

Paredes said Chaidez then put bullets in the gun and put it away.

According to the police report, the woman said Chaidez has brought guns, knives and batons to work before. The report said she did not feel safe and that Chaidez's actions were "very hostile and aggressive" toward her.