Eric Rinehart Lake County State's Attorney | Official website
Eric Rinehart Lake County State's Attorney | Official website
On Friday, June 14, 2024, a jury trial concluded in the Lake County Courthouse with guilty verdicts on all counts related to a 2021 fatal shooting in the Gurnee Mills parking lot. Joey Gonzalez, 27, was convicted of Second-Degree Murder, a class 1 felony; two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a class X felony; three counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a class 1 felony; and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony.
After the verdict, Lake County State’s Attorney stated, “Shooters will be held responsible for the death and destruction they are causing. Our trial teams are securing justice in the courtroom, and survivors are hopefully receiving some solace by these verdicts. Our victim specialists will continue to support them through their careful, trauma-informed practices.”
The jury trial began on Monday, June 10 and lasted five days. The jury heard from many witnesses including law enforcement officers, forensic experts, and eyewitnesses who were present in the parking lot on the day of the shooting.
On November 27, 2021, Gurnee Police Department officers and the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force responded to reports of shots fired at the Gurnee Mills parking lot. When officers arrived, they located Jonathan Denicolas, 26 years old at that time being aided by a good Samaritan. Denicolas was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Law enforcement officers eventually learned through phone records, eyewitnesses’ accounts and surveillance video that Denicolas had arranged to meet with Gonzalez on the day of the shooting. Gonzalez was arrested in August 2022 by U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Gonzalez decided to take the stand in his own defense claiming self-defense despite no evidence suggesting Denicolas shot at him or any weapons recovered from where the incident occurred.
Before the trial commenced Gonzalez was held in Lake County Jail on $10 million bond set by judge back in year-2022 prior bail reform effective date which now prevents individuals charged with murder from posting bond if so decided initially by judge involved case proceedings . After guilty verdict Judge Lombardo revoked ability post bond further .
Gonzalez faces maximum penalty least thirty years Illinois Department Corrections . Next court hearing scheduled August second , nine am
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