LITH Father Wants Answers in Road Rage Shooting

Joe Haupers of Lake in the Hills would like to locate the driver of a red Honda Civic, with a black roof or black stripe on the roof, who shot his 21-year-old son with what's believed to be a high-powered BB gun on April 26 and left him blinded in one eye.

Because no one observed the shooter's license plate number, Haupers hopes someone will come forward with that number or information about the shooter himself. 

Attempt to pass angers driver 

The incident unfolded on that Tuesday after Haupers' two sons, Mikey, 21, and Joey, 23, left work at the business Haupers owns, Swiss Precision Manufacturing at Oak Park and Howard Streets in Niles. 

Just after 6 p.m., the boys drove westbound in separate cars on Touhy through Niles, on their way home, and turned south on Harlem. Haupers said he hoped that police cameras near the Niles police station may have captured the offender's license plate number, since he was driving near then when they stopped for a traffic light at Touhy and Milwaukee Avenue. 

However, Sgt. Robert Tornabene of the Niles Police Department said Friday the department does not have cameras that would capture license plates of cars westbound on Touhy.  The bank west of the police station does have cameras, he said, but they are aimed at the drive-through. 

After Haupers' two sons turned south on Harlem, he said 21-year-old Mikey, who lives in Hoffman Estates,  tried to pass the offender's red Honda on the right, the offender wouldn't let him in, so he tried to pass on the left.

BB gun shot hits eye 

"The guy hopped out at Talcott, and both my sons hopped out, and the guy shot Mikey (the younger son), first in the eye and then in the temple. It blinded him," said Haupers.

"He's had two surgeries, and he's legally blind in that eye."

The shooter also hit Joey, who lives in Lake in the Hills along with his dad. One pellet grazed Joey's arm, and another grazed his buttocks. Neither broke the skin.

"The whole thing happened very fast," Haupers said. The shooter drove off as the Haupers brothers were still reeling from being shot. Mikey was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where doctors theorized that he was hit by a high-powered BB gun.

Red 1996-99 Honda Civic

The shooting happened after the brothers crossed from Niles into Chicago, and Chicago Police Sgt. Phillip Armstrong of News Affairs verified that it had occurred, but declined to provide details. 

Haupers said Chicago police told him that a  Chicago police camera positioned at Northwest Highway may have captured footage, but that it would take a few weeks to get the video.

Joey Haupers was able to describe the shooter's car in detail, saying it was a red Honda Civic two-door, probably a 1996 to 1999 model, with a black roof or a black stripe on the roof.

He also described the shooter as approximately 5'7" to 5'8", Hispanic and in his 20s.

Family enraged, depressed

The altercation has taken a toll on the entire family.

"I'm enraged," said Joe Haupers. "It makes me super-sad. We've all had moments in our lives when you wish you could take it back. He should have let the guy go, but testosterone and young kids--it's ot like so many ears ago when you'd just have a fight. 

"Maybe now he'll think twice. I'm just glad he's with me."

Mikey had his second surgery on May 10, and days after, he was not able to see light from the fluorescent lights in the doctor's office. The doctor then shined a light in his eye, and Mikey saw some light, his father reported. Doctors have said his sight may improve, but he will likely remain legally blind.

Mikey is having a hard time dealing with the loss of sight, his father said. "We have to keep his spirits up," he added.

Anyone with information is urged to call Chicago police at 312-746-8903.