Homer Glen man faces felony charge over alleged Lockport attack

A 21-year-old man has been indicted on a felony charge of aggravated battery in connection with an incident in which he allegedly struck another man with a baseball bat at Dellwood Park in Lockport, according to court records.

On Sept. 20, Ethan Maurella of Homer Glen was initially arrested on a charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault after he and Ryan Barrett, 21, of Lockport, allegedly attacked another man, Lockport police said in a news release.

Barrett allegedly pointed a handgun in the victim’s direction and fired a single shot into the ground, Lockport police said. Barrett has been charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm.

The bill of indictment filed against Maurella and Barrett on Oct. 16 alleged that Maurella struck the man with a baseball bat at Dellwood Park.

The alleged victim told officers that the incident stemmed from a dispute over his “dating relationship with an uninvolved female,” police said.

Maurella was released on his own recognizance following his arrest while Barrett was booked into the Will County jail.

Barrett's bond was set at $150,000.

On Sept. 26, Will County Judge Dave Carlson granted a motion from Barrett’s attorney, Dan Walsh, to lower his client’s bond to $25,000. Walsh argued that Barrett was only 21 years old and had no criminal history.

Carlson lowered the bond to $50,000. Barrett posted $5,000 bail and was released from jail on Sept. 26.

The alleged victim petitioned unsuccessfully for a protective order against Barrett. He claimed Barrett pulled a gun from his pants and “started threatening my life,” according to the protective order.

The alleged victim’s mother petitioned for an emergency no-contact order against Maurella on Oct. 2 that was denied. A court hearing on her protective order was scheduled for Oct. 24.