Man Gets 18 Years In Oak Brook Shooting That Left Innocent Bystanders Wounded

OAK BROOK, IL – A Chicago man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the 2021 shooting in Oak Brook's mall, prosecutors said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Steve Lane, 33, appeared before Judge Mia McPherson and pleaded guilty to one count of armed violence, according to a news release from the DuPage County state's attorney's office

The case stems from a Dec. 23, 2021, shooting at the Oakbrook Center mall, two days before Christmas.

According to the state's attorney's office, Oak Brook police officers responded in the early evening to a report of shots fired and found several wounded people.

Investigators said they determined Lane and another armed man, Tyran Williams, were in an argument that turned violent when shots were fired.

Authorities said Lane struck and injured Williams during the incident before fleeing. After a brief foot pursuit, Lane was arrested at the mall. When officers processed the scene, they found a Taurus 9 mm handgun in the area where Lane fled after the shooting.

The state's attorney’s office said four innocent bystanders were struck by gunfire. They were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Williams was also taken to a local hospital and was released into custody on Dec. 27, 2021. Williams was released after he posted $100,000, or 10 percent of his bond, three days later. Williams was shot and killed in Chicago on March 15, 2024, authorities said.

Lane first appeared in bond court on Dec. 29, 2021, when his bond was set at $1 million, with 10 percent to apply. He has been in the DuPage County Jail since then.

"This display of such a complete and utter disregard for human life at a crowded mall just two days before Christmas is beyond comprehension," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. He added that Lane "was quickly taken into custody and will now pay a significant price for his actions."