A Will County judge on Sunday ordered a Chicago man held on $5 million bond.
Charles C. McKnight Jr., 27, of the 10000 block of Perry Avenue in Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder after he allegedly fatally shot one man and wounded two others, one critically, early Saturday at a WeatherTech distribution center in Bolingbrook, police said.
The shooting occurred at about 6:25 a.m. following the end of the overnight shift when the 27-year-old was confronted by employees after they accused him of robbing two co-workers. They said he took a watch and a wallet at gunpoint, according to a statement from Bolingbrook Police Chief Mike Rompa.
An argument soon ensued and the man pulled out a handgun and shot the three co-workers, according to Rompa’s statement.
Police identified the man who was fatally shot as Central Hightower, 37, of Plainfield. Another man, who is 25, remained in critical condition Saturday evening. A third man, who is 43, was treated and released from a hospital. All of the victims were WeatherTech employees, Rompa said.
Police said they were called to the scene at 1 WeatherTech Way and Remington Boulevard just before 6:30 a.m. Officers quickly learned the gunman had fled on foot, according to the police statement.
With the help of other police, K-9 units and drone technology, Bolingbrook police located McKnight in the rear of a residence on the 500 block of Larkspur Lane just before 9:30 a.m., according to Rompa’s statement.
McKnight was taken into custody without incident. Following the arrest, a handgun was located, police said. Police also said they found the proceeds of the robbery on McKnight’s person, Rompa said. Court records weren’t immediately available.
McKnight had been working with a temporary employment agency and had only been assigned to the WeatherTech Facility since June 9, Rompa said.
