Zion man charged with attempted murder in connection with Sunday’s McHenry intersection shooting

A 29-year-old Zion man has been charged with attempted murder and other weapons violations in connection with a Sunday afternoon shooting incident that left the intersection of Route 31 and Bull Valley Road in McHenry closed for about three hours, according to a city news release issued Monday.

McHenry police said in the release that authorities are “aggressively pursuing” other subjects believed to be involved in the shooting, which resulted in investigators finding more than 50 shell casings at the scene, according to the release.

Dante L. Terrell Jr., of the 2300 block of Joppa Avenue in Zion, has been charged with four alleged felonies, including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, police said. Terrell Jr. was taken into custody within hours of the incident and police conducted a felony review with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office on Sunday evening, according to the release.

McHenry County Jail records show Terrell is scheduled to appear in court at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

A preliminary investigation determined two vehicles – a red Jeep Compass, and a silver Nissan Maxima – were involved in the shooting, which was reported about 1:25 p.m. Sunday.

So far, no injuries associated with the incident have been reported, police said. Gunfire, however, did strike a third vehicle uninvolved in the shooting that was stopped at the intersection without hurting its occupant, McHenry police spokesman officer Michael Spohn told the Northwest Herald.

It was unclear whether Terrell was a passenger or driver of either the red Jeep or silver Nissan, nor how many other subjects investigators are pursuing in connection with the shooting.

None of the subjects thought to be involved in the incident are residents of McHenry County, according to the release.

Despite at least one news report that an AR-15-style rifle was used in the shooting, McHenry police have yet to determine the specific firearms used by the offenders, according to the news release.

Terrell already was wanted on a warrant from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to the release. McHenry County jail records show he was being held without bond Monday afternoon and may be held for another agency, as well.

Waukegan police on Aug. 20 obtained an arrest warrant for Terrell alleging one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, accusing him of knowingly possessing a handgun on June 5, Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Chris Covelli told the Northwest Herald. A judge had set bond on the warrant at $150,000, Covelli said.

Police were seen gathering evidence in the McHenry intersection for hours, using cameras and drones at the scene.

The police investigation has determined the incident to be isolated, according to the release.

Police are actively investigating the case and not releasing anymore information to the public, the release said, but are asking anyone with any knowledge about the incident to call the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599.

People wanting to remain anonymous while providing information to investigators can call the McHenry police tip line at 815-363-2124, a number at which callers are not identified to officers.