COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Thomas Dorsey probably wasn't counting on the city's top cop being around when he allegedly pulled out his gun to celebrate the New Year early Wednesday morning.
Dorsey was among at least eight men escorted before a judge Thursday to face reckless discharge of a weapon charges on New Year's Day. He was spotted by police officers, including Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, as he attempted to "cycle the slide" on his Cobra semi-automatic minutes after midnight, officials said.
Dorsey, a 20-year-old Lawndale resident, was in the 7200 block of South Morgan Street in Englewood when he ran away from officers and tossed his gun to the ground on along the way, police said. McCarthy is not named as an arresting officer, but he was with officers at the scene before the chase began, according Adam Collins, a Chicago Police Department spokesman.
After his arrest, Dorsey said he "didn't get a chance to shoot it," referring to the gun he bought in Wisconsin "for $150 so [he] could shoot it on New Year's Eve," according to court documents.
Five live rounds were found in the illegal weapon — a .32-caliber handgun that was reported stolen on May 26, police said.
Dorsey was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm and held on $40,000 bail when he appeared in court Thursday afternoon.
Other people charged with shooting their guns into the air to celebrate the New Year included a man with a properly registered FOID card at the time of his arrest, as well as Charles Lemle, 29, who was shot by police in his thigh during a late-night celebration during which police said he pointed his gun at three officers.
Richard James, 22, was at his home in the 6900 block of South Throop Street in West Englewood when officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area. Officers said they saw James emerge from the back of the home and fire multiple shots into the air.
When police forced their way into his home, James immediately approached them and said "It was me shooting my gun, here's my FOID card," according to court documents. He was then arrested.
Police found a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun under James' mattress.
James was held on $25,000 bail when he appeared in court Thursday.
Duane Wadlington seemed to sum up the feelings of many of those charged with shooting their guns in celebration over the holiday. The 53-year-old man urged police not to shoot him Tuesday night after he was caught firing shots from a revolver near his Grand Crossing home, officials said.
"I know better. I was just shooting to celebrate the New Year. This is all on me," he told police, according to court documents.
Wadlington was held on $50,000 bail Thursday.
