Homeowner Shoots Man In Back Yard, Claims Self Defense: Cops

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — An Evergreen Park man is facing gun charges after he shot a man in his backyard, police said. Patrick Markham, 53, is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.

Markham called the Evergreen Park Police Department around 8:15 p.m. Monday stating that he had just shot a man on his property, police said.

Officers found the man in Markham’s yard in the 9700 block of South Kedzie Avenue. The man was conscious and breathing, with a gunshot wound in his chest.

Neighbors told officers they saw Markham outside his home carrying a handgun after hearing a commotion outside his home, police said. Markham got into a tussle with the man and claimed he shot him in self-defense because he feared for his safety, police said. Markham apparently did not know the man.

Police said Markham had a valid FOID card for the gun. He has a hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

The man remains hospitalized in stable condition.

If anyone has information or home security video of the shooting, please contact the Evergreen Park Police Department at 708-422-2144.