Monee man sentenced to jail over incident where his son shot child in the face

A Monee man was sentenced to jail and conditional discharge after he was found guilty of leaving a rifle unsecured and accessible to his son, who shot another child in the face during a party in 2018.

On Tuesday, Judge Victoria Breslan found Brian Assink, 40, guilty of unlawful storage of a firearm within premises. Breslan did not find Assink guilty of endangering the life or health of a child.

Breslan’s verdict followed a bench trial in February.

During a party at Assink’s home in 2018, his 7-year-old son pulled a .22-caliber Marlin Model 60 rifle out of a closet and it accidentally went off, resulting in a bullet striking a 7-year-old girl in her lower jaw, said Will County Sheriff spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer.

Assink was sentenced to 30 days in jail and will serve three of those days starting April 9, when the mittimus will be issued, said Will County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Carole Cheney.

The other 27 days would be served if Assink violates the terms of the 24-month conditional discharge, Cheney said. Assink must also perform 300 hours of community service and cannot possess firearms while serving his sentence, she said.

Assink was also ordered to pay $1,500 in fines and costs.

Raeann Cox, mother of Camryn Cox, told Breslan about the harrowing physical and mental suffering her daughter endured as a result of the shooting.

Raeann Cox said the bullet shattered her daughter’s jaw and she had to undergo multiple surgeries and wear a medical halo that was drilled into her skull. She said Camryn Cox will never regain full movement of her neck.

Raeann Cox said her daughter has suffered from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder from the ordeal, and still has nightmares about the incident.

“She is still afraid to go to parties and be in crowds,” Raeann Cox said.

Raeann Cox said she and her family will continue to share Camryn Cox’s story to save lives. She said many people have commended her daughter for her strength and bravery.

Assink apologized to Raeann Cox during the sentencing. He said that he prayed for her daughter every day.

“I hope someday you can forgive me,” he said.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Plattos recommended the 30-day jail time and 24-month conditional discharge to send a message to the community that “our laws are important.”

Assink’s attorney Kip Owen disputed Plattos’ sentencing recommendation. He said “those things” are reserved for people who are “different” than Assink. Owens said Assink has no criminal background and works at a bank.

Raeann Cox filed a lawsuit against Assink and his wife, Tara Assink, that ended with Cox receiving a $2.1 million settlement, court records show.