Man Convicted Of Shooting Dollar General Employee

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Lake County jury has convicted a 23-year-old man of one count of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with a 2022 shooting at a Dollar General store in Waukegan.

The jury trial of Kaleb Brown, 23, began Monday, December 1, and lasted five days. Prosecutors Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg, Scott Hoffert and Mary Vukovich called approximately 30 witnesses, prosecutors said.

On February 4, 2022, Waukegan Police Officers responded to the Dollar General on Grand Avenue after a 19-year-old employee was shot in the face while attempting to prevent a shoplifting suspect from re-entering the store.

The teen sustained severe facial injuries and was transported to a hospital where he survived after undergoing medical treatment, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

Following an investigation, detectives identified Brown as the individual responsible, prosecutors said. Brown was charged with one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and he was taken into custody on July 14 and transported to the Lake County Jail where he has remained leading up to the trial.

During closing arguments, Rothenberg said, “A hard-working young man was trying to do his job, and the defendant shot him in the face for it.”

After the verdict, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, "Our experienced Violent Crimes Unit prosecutors, along with our investigators, victim specialists, and support staff have once again secured justice for the victim who endured a senseless, violent attack. Now, this offender has been held accountable and will face the full consequences of his actions at sentencing.”

Aggravated battery with a firearm carries a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections to be served at 85 percent.

Brown’s next court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. on January 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., for status on post-trial motions.