Crime
Father Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of Son in Lakemoor
A Lakemoor man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his son along Route 120 on Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.
The Lakemoor Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, and Wauconda Fire District responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:24 p.m. in the area of Route 120 and Darrell Road.
A 911 caller reported hearing gunfire and observed a person lying in the roadway on Route 120, also known as Rand Road within the Village of Lakemoor.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds in the 100 block of Rand Road, west of the intersection.
Officers rendered immediate aid before paramedics transported the victim to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry. Emergency responders reported that the victim was unconscious and not breathing at the scene.
Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Authorities confirmed that a person of interest was taken into custody and stated there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The suspect, identified as James R. Piezonka, 64, of Lakemoor, has been charged with:
- First-degree murder (pending formal court approval)
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Aggravated discharge of a firearm
- Aggravated domestic battery
- Felon in possession of a firearm
Court documents allege that Piezonka fired five rounds at the victim, striking him in the torso and left arm, resulting in his death. Following the shooting, Piezonka reportedly entered his vehicle and fled the scene without rendering aid.
Investigators determined that Piezonka, a convicted felon, was unlawfully in possession of a firearm at the time of the incident.
The shooting took place in the westbound lanes of Route 120 in front of a residence where both Piezonka and the victim resided, according to court records.
Authorities processed a sedan positioned partially sideways in the roadway and a motorcycle lying on its side in the driveway as part of the crime scene. A motorcycle helmet was also discovered in the turn lane of Route 120 near the car.
The McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team was called in to assist with the case. Police closed Route 120 in both directions as the investigation continued through Sunday evening.
Piezonka was taken into custody and transported to the McHenry County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office has not yet publicly released the victim’s identity. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding a possible motive for the shooting.
Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.