DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police William Murphy announced today that bond has been set for a Carol Stream man accused of firing a handgun at a vehicle occupied by his ex-girlfriend and another individual. Dejonte Parks, 25 (d.o.b. 4/2/1997) of the 200 block of E. St. Charles Road, appeared in at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Daniel Guerin set bond at $250,000 with 10% to apply. He has been charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony).
On May 4, 2022, at approximately 9:11 p.m., officers with the Wheaton Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the area the 700 block of N. Wheaton Avenue. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the victims’ vehicle was driving southbound on Schmale Road when Parks pulled up next to them and displayed a gun. It is alleged that the victims’ vehicle continued driving and that Parks followed. It is further alleged that when the victims’ vehicle was on Wheaton Avenue, Parks fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle, striking it once in the driver’s side wheel well. It is alleged that following the shooting, Parks fled the area. When processing the scene, officers found two 9mm shell casings on Wheaton Avenue. Parks was taken into custody from his home the following day without incident.
“It is alleged that this defendant opened fire at an occupied vehicle in a residential neighborhood, striking the vehicle one time,” Berlin said. “This complete disregard for public safety will not be tolerated. Thankfully, no one was injured or worse, killed, by Mr. Park’s alleged actions. I commend the Wheaton Police Department for their efforts in identifying Mr. Parks as a suspect in this case for their continued efforts in keeping our neighborhoods safe. I thank the Carol Stream Police Department and DuPage MERIT for their assistance in the case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Grace Barsanti and Bethany Jackson for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Parks.”
“We appreciate the assistance of DuPage MERIT, the Carol Stream Police Department, and DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin's office,” Murphy said. “Their assistance helped remove this dangerous individual from the community. Our officers and detectives worked swiftly to resolve this incident, as violence of this nature will not be tolerated in Wheaton.”
Parks' next court appearance is scheduled for June 13, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Guerin.
Dejonte Parks
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.