Man Convicted In Villa Park Amusement Park Shooting: Authorities

VILLA PARK, IL – A Chicago man was convicted Thursday in the shooting of another man more than four years ago at a Villa Park amusement park, authorities said.

Meco Norris, 29, was found guilty of three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm that resulted in severe bodily injury.

He has been in the DuPage County Jail since the shooting.

The incident occurred in the early evening of Nov. 13, 2021, at Safari Land amusement park, 701 W. North Ave., police said.

Norris fired shots at the victim three times, once in the chest, once in the right shoulder and once in the right elbow, according to DuPage County prosecutors. Norris concealed the gun near homes behind Safari Land and left the area, but was taken into custody the next day at his house, police said.

The victim was taken to a local hospital and released later that evening, prosecutors said. Both men were attending a birthday party.

"What began as a fun night out for dozens of families at a popular indoor children's amusement park, ended in terror when Meco Norris pulled out a loaded handgun and shot another man three times," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. "Mr. Norris' utter disregard for public safety was on full display as he repeatedly fired his gun, just feet from dozens of innocent children and their families. We are all extremely grateful that Mr. Norris' victim has since recovered from his injuries."

Norris' sentencing is set for Feb. 18.