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Probation granted in shooting at Mickey’s Massive Burritos · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  Probation granted in shooting at Mickey’s Massive Burritos Written by Tom Collins.
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  This article is being read by an automated voice, brought to you
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  by Everlet. The man who fired the gun in twenty twenty three
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  at Mickey's Massive Burritos. Owner Mickey Venegas was critically injured but survived,
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  was placed on probation Friday for felony reckless conduct. Richard J. Venegas,
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  sixty seven, of La Salle will not, however, be able to lawfully
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  own or possess another firearm. His FOID was revoked by statute, and
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  the gun was confiscated and will be destroyed. I just feel bad
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  about the fact that it happened, Richard told the judge when offered
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  a chance to speak in LaSalle County Circuit Court. On paper, Richard
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  Venegas was eligible for prison or jail time, but First Assistant LaSalle
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  County State's attorney Jason Good said the state was content with 30
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  months additional discharge without further sanctions. We believe Mr Venegus obviously shouldn't
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  be a gun owner, Good said. Even though this was somewhat contested
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  at trial, we don't think any additional punishment is warranted. Chief Judge
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  H. Ryan Jr. Said he saw no reason to deviate from the
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  state's recommendation and imposed probation. Ryan had previously acknowledged the shooting was
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  in no way an intentional act I'm sure he didn't intend to
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  shoot his brother, the judge said, but also denied the defense's last
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  ditch bid Friday for a new trial. Richard Venegas was charged following
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  an investigation into the March 22, 2023 shooting at the LaSalle
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  Restaurant. At a short bench trial, it was revealed that Richard had
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  brought his Smith Wesson into the restaurant’s to show it to Mickey
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  who'd previously indicated he'd live to see it. According to live testimonies
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  and video surveillance, Richard removed and reinserted the ammunition cartridge to ensure
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  it wasn't loaded axe that were captured on the restaurant's internal surveillance
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  camera, but didn't realize there still was a live round in the
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  chamber. The gun discharged and Mickey required hospitalization. At trial, Chicago defense
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  attorney John Moraglia argued the shooting was an accident and that Richard
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  was inappropriately charged with a crime. Accident does not equate to reckless,
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  Moraglia argued then. He, Richard, made a mistake. This is not reckless
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  conduct rising to a felony. The judge, however, agreed the state had
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  proved reckless conduct. Specifically, the judge ruled the State showed the act
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  resulted in great bodily harm, and that Richard had committed a gross
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  deviation from the standards for safety.