Man Arrested and Charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder in Ford Heights Shooting

Ford Heights, IL – A 41-year-old man from University Park has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and multiple other felonies following an intensive investigation conducted by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police. Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced the charges today, shedding light on a shooting incident that took place in Ford Heights last month.

On January 12, at approximately 8:53 p.m., law enforcement responded to a distress call reporting a shooting in the 1300 block of East Lincoln Highway. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered a 27-year-old female victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was swiftly transported to a local hospital for immediate medical attention and has since been discharged.

During the course of their investigation, detectives uncovered crucial details that led them to identify the suspect as Abel Barnes, a resident of University Park. It was revealed that Barnes had engaged in a heated verbal altercation with the victim, during which he explicitly threatened to shoot her. Subsequently, moments after the dispute escalated, Barnes brandished a handgun, fired multiple shots at the victim, and quickly fled from the scene.

On February 13, law enforcement successfully apprehended Barnes without incident. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office promptly reviewed the case and approved the filing of several felony charges against him, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a discharged firearm, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Barnes made his appearance in court today at the Markham Courthouse, where he was ordered to be held in custody at the Cook County Jail until his next scheduled court hearing on March 5.

It is important to emphasize that, in accordance with the principles of justice, the defendant remains innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.

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