COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Prosecutors have charged a 17-year-old in the Austin food market shooting that left a man seriously wounded Wednesday.
The alleged shooter, 17-year-old Kayvon Rogers, is currently on juvenile probation for a gun case, prosecutors said. He has pending domestic battery and battery cases in juvenile court, as well as prior convictions for drugs and trespassing.
Rogers has been charged as an adult in the Austin attack, which took place about 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 5700 block of West Augusta Boulevard.
According to authorities, Rogers stepped out of a Jeep in front of Best Foods Grocery, 5751 W. Augusta Blvd., fidgeted with a gun that wasn't yet loaded and eventually began shooting at an 18-year-old target inside the store.
Rogers used a laser sight, prosecutors said, and the shooting was captured on surveillance video.
The 18-year-old victim was shot twice in his back and treated for two through-and-through gunshot wounds, according to Assistant State's Attorney Brian Whang, who spoke during a brief bond hearing. Though the victim was still listed in serious condition Friday, he is expected to survive.
When police arrested Rogers a short while later, he allegedly told officers "he messed up and was stupid" and shot at the victim in retaliation for an earlier shooting, Whang said.
After Wednesday's shooting, Rogers got back in the Jeep and and left, authorities said.
Police responding to 911 calls spotted the Jeep near Chicago and Hamlin a short while later, according to an arrest report. Officers saw Rogers get out of the vehicle, place an object in a garbage can and run away, the report said.
Following a brief chase, police arrested Rogers about 6:20 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Iowa Street, records show.
Three witnesses were able to identify him as the shooter, according to police. Rogers, of the 1800 block of North Kimball Avenue, is charged with aggravated battery by discharging a firearm.
Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Rogers held without bail.
Rogers' public defender said Rogers is a high school junior.
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