Arrested Judge Allegedly Blamed Bullet Hole On A Screwdriver: Wheaton Cops

WHEATON, IL — A DuPage County circuit judge accused of firing a gun in his home initially told his building manager the hole his neighbors discovered was made by a screwdriver. Judge Patrick O'Shea, 67, said he was hanging a mirror on Sept. 15 when the screwdriver accidentally went through the wall. On Sept. 24, the neighbors found what appeared to be a spent bullet on their floor across the room from where the hole was found, according to a police report. A warrant was later issued for O'Shea's arrest.

O'Shea was arrested on Friday on disorderly conduct charges in connection with the incident. Police ordered him to surrender his firearms and licenses. O'Shea was also removed from his duties as a DuPage County circuit judge.

The police report for the Sept. 15 incident states that the property manager was approached by O'Shea earlier in the day and O'Shea said he had been holding a large mirror in one hand and a screwdriver in the other when he slipped and accidentally put the screwdriver through his bedroom wall. The property manager allegedly told police that they saw a mirror with a hole "a couple inches in diameter" near the center, but the rest of the mirror intact. They also told police they saw a 12" long screwdriver in the room.

O'Shea allegedly later told property management that the hole was made by his son, who was using a pneumatic nail gun in O'Shea's bedroom, the police report indicates. O'Shea is then said to have offered to purchase his neighbors a $250 gift card as an apology.

>>Related: DuPage County Judge Removed From Office, Must Surrender Firearms After Loaded Gun Discharged In Home

Police later discussed the hole in the wall with O'Shea, but that part of the police report has been redacted.

After his arrest, O'Shea posted $5,000 bail and was released. His next court date is set for Nov. 15.

>>Image via Wheaton Police Department