Lake County Gazette

A Lake County judge has sentenced Joey Gonzalez to 32 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Jonathan Denicolas in Gurnee, Illinois, in 2021. Gonzalez, aged 27, was convicted on June 14, 2024, of several charges including second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commented on the case: “Chief of the Criminal Division Jeff Facklam and Principal Assistant State's Attorney Ron Park won a tough case in which the offender claimed self-defense. The jury rejected this argument due to our office's work, and this offender will be away from the community for decades. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim, and we will support them for as long as they need.”

The incident occurred in November 2021 when police responded to reports of shots fired at Gurnee Mills parking lot. Officers found Denicolas being assisted by a good Samaritan before he was transported to a hospital where he later died.

During sentencing, Judge Lombardo considered evidence from two state witnesses who testified about separate gun incidents involving Gonzalez after the shooting. A victim-impact statement from Denicolas' mother described him as "a playful, loving young man" and expressed how his death affected their family.

Prosecutors argued that Gonzalez's actions demonstrated his danger to the community. They highlighted his disregard for human life during what was likely one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Gonzalez had previously been charged with involuntary manslaughter in March 2017 after accidentally shooting a friend. He pled guilty later that year and served time for involuntary manslaughter and an unrelated residential burglary charge.

Sentencing laws allowed Judge Lombardo to impose a sentence ranging from 10 to 45 years. Before trial, Gonzalez was held on a $10 million bond set before bail reform laws took effect. After his conviction, his ability to post bond was revoked.