[Yas]

Article


Tony Peraica was target of Riverside shots fired at home
Police say barrage of bullets that hit teachers' house was likely intended for their neighbor -- outspoken county Commissioner Tony Peraica.

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica thought the loud series of pops he heard outside his suburban home early Wednesday might just be fireworks.

But by evening, Riverside police were at his door -- letting him know those pops were actually gunshots and while no one was hurt, whoever pumped seven shots into his neighbor's home likely was targeting the controversial politician.
"I'm very concerned, I'm concerned shots were fired at my neighbor's house in the middle of the night," Peraica told the Sun-Times. "I'm concerned for my family, I'm concerned for my neighbors."

He also is worried that the one or more shooters remain at large.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel echoed the opinion that the gunshots were meant for Peraica -- not his schoolteacher neighbors and their 10-year-old child.

"We believe right now Mr. Peraica was the target and that it was meant as some type of intimidation or message," Weitzel said.

The outspoken Republican said this isn't the first time he's been a crime victim, noting that during last year's bid for state's attorney his law office was burglarized.


"This seems to be a continuing pattern of intimidation," Peraica said.

Steve Hawk, owner of the home shot at, said he and his family were upstairs sleeping at the time.

"I can't imagine why people would shoot bullets into our home," Hawk said calmly. "I'm a pretty deep sleeper. So when they heard a loud noise, my family woke me up and said, 'Did you hear that noise?' I said, 'Yeah. Go back to bed. Everything is fine. I think maybe the dog knocked something over.'"

He said it wasn't until the next morning that they saw the broken glass and bullets.

"I can't even speculate as to why this would happen."

Police said at least one shot went through a front window and another into a wooden front door.

While Peraica, too, was awakened by the noises, he thought it might be kids playing with fireworks and returned to sleep.

Police received calls around 3 a.m. reporting gunshots in the area, but officers found no one.

Neighbors told police they heard the gunshots and thought they spotted a getaway car -- a dark-colored, mid-size four-door car with a loud muffler.

Later, police were summoned to the Hawks' residence on a call of criminal damage to property.

Peraica said five slugs were recovered from the Hawks' home.

No shell casings were recovered, leading police to believe the bullets were fired from a passing car, Weitzel said. The weapon was believed to be a .22- or .25-caliber.

Weitzel said given how hard it is to find the block Peraica lives on, they believe the gunman had an intended target.

Peraica says he is a government reformer and knows that could make him unpopular. But this incident won't change that.

"I'm not going to be deterred, I'm not going to be stopped."

[2nd amendment forever]

Wonder what Stroger's alibi is......

[Lou]

The lesson here is that you don't mess with the Chicago Democrat Machine.

[cowboyflyfisher]

2nd amendment forever, on May 8 2009, 09:21 AM, said:

Wonder what Stroger's alibi is......

That's exactly what I said 5 seconds after hearing the news.
Maybe Peraica will support CCW now that he might need it.

[burningspear]

He will continue to state he supports the Second Amendment and will still oppose LTC. Illogical? Contradictory? Please don't have him speak at SAFR, unless he has really changed his opposition to LTC.

[Ashdump]

burningspear, on May 8 2009, 10:29 AM, said:

He will continue to state he supports the Second Amendment and will still oppose LTC. Illogical? Contradictory? Please don't have him speak at SAFR, unless he has really changed his opposition to LTC.

Agreed! I think I dislike a wishy-washy 2A supporter more than I do an anti!

[dan]

He was asked on WIND radio this morning directly if he supports LTC and he said " I support the second amendment" He is not in support of our cause.

[pyre400]

Well... if they did not know where he lived before, they do now.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

Quote

He will continue to state he supports the Second Amendment and will still oppose LTC. Illogical? Contradictory? Please don't have him speak at SAFR, unless he has really changed his opposition to LTC.

I say Pi$$ on him.....even if he does "change his mind". I say Bull$hit....screw him, there are plenty of ppl willing to take his office that actually do uphold their oath to the constitution.

[drdoom]

Yeah, if he really supported the 2nd amendment, he would've pulled out the mossberg and fired back at the vermin trying to kill his neighbors.