In a harrowing case that sent shockwaves through DuPage County and beyond, 41-year-old Lawrence Grant of Chicago has been found guilty of multiple felony charges after shooting a pregnant woman in the back as she attempted to flee from him in her vehicle. The verdict was handed down following a four-day trial and approximately two-and-a-half hours of jury deliberations, marking the conclusion of a case that highlighted the brutal and senseless nature of gun violence.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the conviction, which includes one count of Attempted Murder (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), and two counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony). Grant, who had been held on a $2 million bond since his arrest, has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail.
The Incident
The violent chain of events began on the evening of January 28, 2022, around 7 p.m., in Willowbrook, Illinois. Officers from the Willowbrook Police Department responded to the scene of a crash on Route 83 and discovered a severely injured woman inside a wrecked vehicle. She was eight months pregnant and had suffered a gunshot wound to the back.
According to the investigation, the victim, Grant, and another individual had engaged in a heated verbal altercation earlier that day inside a Whole Foods grocery store located on the 6300 block of Kingery Highway. Witnesses indicated that the confrontation began when Grant’s romantic advances toward the victim were rebuffed. The situation escalated into a physical fight involving the victim’s boyfriend. After the dispute, all parties left the store in separate vehicles.
The situation turned deadly as Grant allegedly pursued the victim, who was driving southbound on Route 83. While tailing her car, Grant opened fire multiple times, striking the vehicle and ultimately shooting the woman in the back. The injuries caused her to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash.
Miraculously, both the mother and her unborn child survived. The woman was rushed to a local hospital where an emergency surgery was performed. During the operation, doctors delivered the baby. Both mother and child later recovered from the life-threatening ordeal.
Arrest and Investigation
Hours after the shooting, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Grant was located at the University of Chicago Hospital where he had been admitted on an unrelated medical issue. Authorities linked him to the incident and discovered that the vehicle he had been using was found nearby, completely destroyed by fire. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s destruction are still under investigation, but authorities believe it may have been an attempt to destroy evidence.
Upon his release from the hospital, Grant was immediately taken into custody. He was formally charged and held without the opportunity to post bail due to the severity of the crimes.
Prosecution and Sentencing
During the trial, prosecutors painted a disturbing picture of premeditated violence and aggression. Assistant State’s Attorneys Joseph Lindt, Bethany Jackson, and Alexandria Levan presented evidence that demonstrated Grant’s relentless pursuit of the victim and his intent to cause serious harm.
“On January 28, 2022, after the victim repeatedly declined Lawrence Grant’s advances, he caused a scene inside the Whole Foods store, turned a verbal argument with the victim’s boyfriend into a physical confrontation, followed the victim in her car as she fled the scene and then opened fire at her multiple times, striking her in the back, causing her to crash her car,” said State’s Attorney Robert Berlin following the verdict.
He continued, “Today, the jury sent a clear message that Mr. Grant’s violent actions of shooting a pregnant woman in the back will not be tolerated in DuPage County and that he will be held responsible.”
Berlin also commended the jury, the presiding judge, and the prosecution team for their dedication to justice and for providing a voice to the victim.
What’s Next
Lawrence Grant is scheduled to appear in court on June 20, 2025, for the return of the Pre-sentence Report. He faces a minimum of 31 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with the possibility of a life sentence due to the severity of his crimes.
The case stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence and the importance of holding perpetrators fully accountable. As the victim and her child continue to recover, DuPage County officials hope this verdict brings a measure of justice and closure to a story that could have had a much darker ending.
Community Reaction
The community has responded with an outpouring of support for the victim, who endured an unimaginable act of violence while protecting the life of her unborn child. Local leaders and advocacy groups have renewed calls for stronger protections against gun violence and enhanced support for survivors of domestic and targeted abuse.
While justice has been served in the courtroom, the scars left behind by such acts run deep. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office has reaffirmed its commitment to aggressively prosecuting violent offenders and ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve.
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