Judge Denies Bond Reduction For Teen In New Lenox Fatal Shooting

NEW LENOX, IL — An 18-year-old Harvey teen will remain in custody and held on $2.5 million after a judge on Monday denied a public defender’s plea to have his bond reduced to $500,000 with 10 percent to apply in connection with a 2020 fatal shooting at a New Lenox gas station.

The teen, who was 16 at the time of the incident, has been in custody since being charged with murder in the shooting death of Charles Baird. Baird was shot at a New Lenox Circle K gas station in May 2020 when police said that a car, which had been stolen two days earlier from Lockport, pulled up to a gas pump near where Baird’s car was parked.

Police said that while Baird was inside the gas station, an occupant from the stolen vehicle tried to open the door of Baird’s car. Baird’s car was locked, police said, and when another person approached him, words were exchanged and Baird was shot in the back. He was taken to a local hospital but died two days later from his injuries.

Police said he was able to describe the suspect before he died, according to a published report. During Monday’s hearing, public defender Samantha LaRowe Kearns was seeking to have the teen's bond reduced to $500,000, which would require payment of $50,000 for him to be released, the Daily Southtown reported.

Kearns said the teen agreed to pay $50,000 and live with his grandmother if released. He also agreed to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of his release.

However, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office opposed the reduction in bond, and assistant State's Attorney Daniel Eagan told the judge that Baird did not know the person who shot him. The Daily Southtown reported that Baird was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The case, which the public defender's office said has been delayed as the teen's lawyer awaits evidence, is scheduled to resume in December. The teen will remain in custody as he awaits trial on the murder charges, the judge said.

A spokesperson for the Will County State's Attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday afternoon.