Man Charged In Accidental Hotel Shooting Threatened Cops: CPD

CHICAGO, IL — A South Holland man faces weapons and other felony charges after four people were wounded by shrapnel when his gun accidentally went off last month in the lobby of a downtown hotel, according to Chicago police. Reginald Tolbert, 24, was charged with four counts of the reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault of a peace officer and threatening a public official, police said in a statement released late Friday.

Tolbert was ordered held without bail during a hearing Saturday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. His next court date is Wednesday.

According to police, the shooting happened at about 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at the Hyatt Regency hotel, 150 E. Wacker Drive. Prosecutors claim Tolbert, who was staying at the hotel at the time, accidentally fired the gun he was carrying in his waistband while he was looking for his wallet, the Sun-Times reports.

The shot hit the lobby floor, and bullet fragments sprayed the area. Police said four people were hurt by the shrapnel, but the Sun-Times reports five people were injured.

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Following the shooting, Tolbert allegedly pointed his gun at security guards as he fled the scene, police said. He also dropped his wallet while fleeing, and police recovered a gun in a garbage can near the hotel, the Sun-Times reports.

Once an investigation was under way, Tolbert allegedly threatened Area Central detectives handling the case, police said. He eventually was arrested at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in the 14500 block of South Eggleston Avenue in Riverdale, according to police.

More via the Chicago Sun-Times

Reginald Tolbert, 24 (Photo via Chicago Police Department)