Man Charged In Shooting Of Toddler On Lake Shore Drive: Police

CHICAGO — A 25-year-old man faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder after police say he shot and critically wounded a toddler on Lake Shore Drive earlier this month.

Deandre Binion, of Morgan Park, also faces one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, according to a release from Chicago police.

On April 6, 22-month-old Kayden Swann was traveling in a car with his grandmother and his grandmother's boyfriend, Jushawn Brown, when an SUV almost hit Brown's car near Soldier Field. From there, a road rage incident ensued after both men showed guns, according to prosecutors.

The driver of the SUV followed Brown and fired several shots at his car near the Shedd Aquarium. One of the bullets went through the backseat window and hit Kayden in the temple. Prosecutors said Brown continued to drive until his car crashed, while the SUV sped away from the scene.

RELATED: Doctors Say Toddler Shot on Lake Shore Drive is 'Relatively Stable'

Police said they identified Binion as the driver of the SUV, despite the fact that it was not registered to him.

Police spokesperson Tom Ahern said detectives could not have identified Binion without the use of private and city-owned surveillance cameras and the cooperation of Kayden's grandmother, who picked Binion out of a lineup.

---

RELATED: Man In Car With Toddler Had A Gun, Police Say

Police also said they recovered the gun used in the shooting, though they didn't say where it was found.

The boy was taken to Northwestern Hospital by a good Samaritan who witnessed the crash. There, Brown was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the shooting. Police say Brown did not discharge his weapon, but did not have a valid Firearm Owners Identification card.

The young boy suffered a severe brain injury and was transferred to Lurie Children's Hospital where he was put in a medically-induced coma. Earlier this week, doctors said Kayden was transferred out of intensive care and showing reassuring progress.

Binion is expected to appear in court on Friday, police said.