'I'm Going To Put A Bullet Through Your Skull': Shorewood Man With 2 Rifles Learns His Sentence From Judge

SHOREWOOD, IL — James Hamilton, a 65-year-old Shorewood resident from the 300 block of Arrowhead Drive, was taken back into the custody of the Will County Jail this week after receiving a two-year prison sentence for two crimes of unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon.

According to his criminal complaint, Hamilton was originally charged with five crimes: two counts of domestic battery, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and one charge of aggravated domestic battery. Pursuant to his plea bargain, Hamilton's charges of aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery were dismissed.

Sentencing took place in Courtroom 801, presided over by Will County Judge Thomas Slazyk, a former prosecutor. Hamilton turned to the Tomczak Law Group for his legal representation. Joliet Patch reported on Hamilton's arrest by the Shorewood police back in December 2024.

According to Monday's guilty plea and sentencing document, Shorewood police responded to the Hamilton house on Arrowhead Drive that Christmas Eve, and the woman who met them at the front door relayed that her father and mother were fighting. Inside, the victim told the Shorewood police officers that she and Hamilton were arguing about money and alcohol and he threatened to blow his daughter's brains out.

The older woman said she hid Hamilton's rifle that had been in the bedroom, and that was when Hamilton placed his hands upon her neck and applied pressure. The victim indicated she could still breathe, but she was scared. Hamilton then pushed her along her body, but he stopped as the Shorewood officers made entry into the home, court records show.

Police recovered Hamilton's Marlin rifle, which officials said was loaded with five rounds of ammunition and a bullet in the chamber. A second .22-caliber rifle was found in the garage. Hamilton had a 2010 felony theft conviction in Will County, and the defendant's daughter said he has been threatening her life for the previous two weeks. According to prosecutors, Hamilton put his finger on her head and declared, "I'm going to put a bullet right through your skull."

At Monday's sentencing, prosecutors indicated that Hamilton admitted pushing one of the women, but he denied all the other allegations. He also said he obtained the rifles from his uncle.

Back in 2024, the prosecution's petition to deny pretrial release was rejected. Instead, Will County Judge Shenonda Tisdale imposed electronic monitoring on Hamilton, and ordered that he must have no contact with the victim, the victim's daughter, or Hamilton's home on Arrowhead Drive.