85-Year-Old Lake Bluff Man Arrested After Allegedly Firing Gun at Laptop During Nearby Fireworks Celebration

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. — An 85-year-old Lake Bluff man has been arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly firing multiple gunshots at a laptop computer in his backyard while police officers were directing traffic near a community fireworks celebration.

Roger W. Crews, 85, of Lake Bluff, was arrested following an incident Saturday evening, October 10, in the 300 block of West Washington Avenue, just a short distance from the Lake Bluff Park District’s Fireworks Celebration.

According to information presented in court by Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney John Klages, officers with the Lake Bluff Police Department were preparing to direct traffic as the fireworks celebration was concluding when they heard four gunshots coming from a nearby residential property.

Officers investigated the sounds and located Crews standing in his backyard, holding a firearm pointed toward the ground.

When questioned by police, Crews reportedly explained that he had been shooting at the hard drive of his laptop computer, which he had positioned on a chair in front of a tree.

Prosecutors said Crews had been standing in his backyard facing southeast, in the direction of neighboring residences, when the incident occurred.

Authorities identified the weapon as a 9mm pistol. Officers discovered one live round in the chamber and three additional rounds in the magazine.

Investigators had not immediately determined what the discharged bullets struck.

Klages also told the court that Crews walks with a cane and cooperated with responding officers.

Although Crews possessed a valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, prosecutors confirmed that he did not have a concealed carry license.

The incident unfolded as residents gathered for the Lake Bluff Park District’s annual Fireworks Celebration, held at the Lake Bluff Recreation Center, located at 355 West Washington Avenue.

The event had originally been scheduled for September 19 but was postponed until October 10 because weather forecasts indicated a significant possibility of heavy rainfall.

According to the park district’s event schedule, festivities began at 3 p.m., followed by live musical entertainment at 4 p.m. The celebration was scheduled to conclude with a fireworks display beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The community celebration was first introduced in September 2025 to commemorate the Lake Bluff Park District’s 100th anniversary.

Following the inaugural event, the Friends of Lake Bluff Parks foundation partnered with the park district to bring the celebration back in 2026, with plans to establish it as the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.

This year’s festivities were also included in the village’s Celebrate 250 – Lake Bluff Style initiative, a series of community events organized throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The gunfire occurred near the celebration while officers were working to manage traffic associated with the gathering.

Following his arrest, Crews was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, classified as a Class 4 felony under Illinois law.

He was taken into custody and appeared before Lake County Judge D. Christopher Lombardo during a First Appearance Court hearing on Sunday morning, October 11.

During the hearing, Lombardo informed Crews that the felony charge carries a possible prison sentence of one to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The judge appointed a public defender to represent Crews during the proceedings and determined that probable cause existed to support the criminal charge.

The court was also informed that any additional weapons Crews had possessed at his residence had been removed the previous evening.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office did not file a petition requesting that Crews remain detained while awaiting trial.

As a result, Lombardo authorized his release under several pretrial conditions.

Under the conditions established by the court, Crews was placed on Level 1 pretrial services monitoring.

He was also prohibited from possessing weapons while his criminal case remains pending.

Additionally, Judge Lombardo approved a request from prosecutors requiring that any firearms remaining inside Crews’ residence be surrendered to the Lake Bluff Police Department within 24 hours of his release.

The restrictions were imposed following the reported discharge of multiple rounds in a residential neighborhood near a public event.

Authorities have not publicly established where the bullets ultimately landed, and the available report does not identify any injuries or property damage resulting from the gunfire.

Crews is scheduled to return to Lake County court on October 27, 2026, for a status of attorney hearing.

The case remains pending as the court proceedings continue.

The incident has drawn attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the suspect’s age, his reported explanation that he was attempting to destroy a laptop hard drive, and the proximity of the gunfire to a community celebration attended by local residents.

The Lake Bluff Police Department’s response began after officers assigned to traffic duties heard the shots themselves, prompting an investigation that led directly to Crews’ backyard and his subsequent arrest.