Bond Set at $100,000 for Aurora Man Charged With Shooting Neighbor’s Dog in the Head in Front of Child

John Fazzini of Aurora has been charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, ne count of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and one count of Criminal Damage to property, all Class 4 Felonies.

UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, OFFICERS FOUND THE VICTIM, AN 81/2-YEAR-OLD GERMAN SHEPARD NAMED JAMESON (JAMO) LAYING ON HIS FRONT PORCH. JAMO HAD BEEN SHOT ONCE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NOSE WITH THE BULLET EXITING BELOW HIS LEFT EAR.

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross announced today that bond has been set for an Aurora man charged with shooting a neighbor’s dog in the head. John Fazzini, 61 (d.o.b. 8/9/1960) of the 300 block of Aster Court, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge John Kinsella set his bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply.

On March 10, 2022, at approximately 9 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 300 block of Shadybrook Lane. Upon their arrival, officers found the victim, an 8½-year-old German Shepherd named Jameson (Jamo) laying on his front porch. Jamo had been shot once in the right side of his nose with the bullet exiting below his left ear. An investigation into the shooting found that at approximately 8:45 p.m., Jamo was out for a walk with members of his family, one of whom is a ten-year-old girl, when they allegedly encountered Fazzini across the street walking his dog. It is alleged that Fazzini’s dog began to bark at which time Jamo wiggled out of his harness and approached Fazzini and his dog. It is alleged that Jamo ran circles around Fazzini and his dog before trotting towards them. It is further alleged that when Jamo was approximately four to five feet away from Fazzini, He, without a warning, pulled out a gun and shot Jamo. After being shot, Jamo returned to his front porch. It is alleged that following the shooting, Fazzini left the scene. Jamo was immediately taken to a local Veterinary Hospital where he received medical attention. He has since been released and is recovering from his injuries.

“It is alleged that without provocation Mr. Fazzini pulled out a loaded handgun and shot a family pet just feet away from family members, including a ten-year-old girl,” Berlin said. “These allegations are simply unconscionable. This type of conduct will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. Because of his alleged actions, Mr. Fazzini is now facing three felony charges. We are all thankful that Jamo is currently safe at home and appears to be recovering well from his injuries. I thank the Aurora Police Department, particularly Detectives Munn and Koenings for their extremely thorough and detailed investigation of this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas and Amanda Meindl for their work in securing charges against Mr. Fazzini.”

“The Aurora Police Department has zero tolerance for anyone recklessly firing a gun in our city,” Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said. “I want to thank our detectives and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work on this case to bring justice to Jamo’s family.”

Fazzini was taken into custody without incident on an active arrest warrant yesterday afternoon following a traffic stop by Aurora Police. He has been charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, one count of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and one count of Criminal Damage to property, all Class 4 Felonies. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 4, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Kinsella.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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