OTTAWA, Ill. — People of the State of Illinois v. B.J. D. Redmond. In the early morning hours of April 18, 2026, a shooting outside the Zeller Inn in downtown Ottawa left one man hospitalized with serious injuries and led to the arrest of 23-year-old B.J. D. Redmond. Charged with multiple Class X felonies, Redmond has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody as the case heads toward a jury trial.
By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink
Last updated: September 22, 2026
The Incident & Initial Investigation
Ottawa Police responded to the Zeller Inn, 124 W. Lafayette St., in the early morning hours of April 18, 2026, after reports of a shooting on the tavern’s patio. Officers found one adult victim with a gunshot wound to the upper torso; he was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.
Detectives processed the scene, recovered surveillance video, interviewed witnesses and collected a spent .380-caliber shell casing. Police said the shooting appeared to stem from a dispute between individuals involved and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
The following day, Ottawa Police announced Redmond’s arrest.
Case Status
La Salle County Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit); Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.; prosecution led by Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Hall; defense by Assistant Public Defender Brad Popurella.
- Role: Defendant, accused shooter
- Current status: Pleaded not guilty at arraignment; case proceeding toward trial; defense motion for relief denied September 11, 2026
- Next court date: Final pretrial December 4, 2026; jury trial December 7, 2026
- Custody status: Ordered detained pending trial following an April 20, 2026 detention hearing; detention continued after a denied motion for relief on September 11, 2026
- Last updated: September 22, 2026
Charges & Penalties
Redmond was initially reported to face four charges following his arrest, including a pretrial-release violation count. When the case was formally presented in court, prosecutors proceeded on three counts:
- Count 1 — Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X)
- Count 2 — Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm within 1,000 Feet of a School (Class X)
- Count 3 — Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 4)
The pretrial-release violation reported at arrest was not among the counts presented at the detention hearing. Class X felonies carry 6 to 30 years in prison with no probation; aggravated battery with a firearm is subject to truth-in-sentencing rules requiring roughly 85 percent of a sentence to be served. The Class 4 count carries 1 to 3 years.
Evidence & Allegations
At the April 20 detention hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Hall told the court that witnesses saw Redmond raise a small black handgun on the Zeller Inn patio and fire a single shot, striking the victim in the upper torso; police recovered one .380-caliber shell casing. Hall said multiple eyewitnesses identified Redmond, who allegedly fled the scene, and argued detention was warranted partly because Redmond was accused of possessing a firearm while already prohibited from doing so.
Assistant Public Defender Brad Popurella argued Redmond had been involved in a physical altercation and that home confinement with GPS monitoring would adequately protect the public. Judge Ryan denied that request and ordered Redmond held pending trial.
As of April 25, the State’s Attorney’s Office had confirmed only that the victim remained hospitalized.
Case Timeline & Proceedings
April 18, 2026 — Shooting: A gunshot on the Zeller Inn patio leaves one man hospitalized; police secure the scene and recover surveillance video and a shell casing.
April 19, 2026 — Arrest: Ottawa Police announce Redmond’s arrest on preliminary charges.
April 20, 2026 — Detention hearing: Judge Ryan orders Redmond held pending trial.
April 24–25, 2026 — Arraignment: Redmond pleads not guilty; motions hearing set for June 26, 2026, jury trial set for July 6, 2026.
June 26, 2026 — Continuance: An OMHD hearing results in a continuance; trial dates are rescheduled to a final pretrial on August 21 and jury trial on August 24, 2026.
August 19, 2026 — Status hearing: Trial dates are stricken and the case is continued to September 11, 2026 for status, with Redmond remaining in pretrial detention.
September 11, 2026 — Motion for relief denied: Redmond’s motion for relief is denied. The case is rescheduled, with a final pretrial conference set for December 4, 2026 and jury trial for December 7, 2026.
In the weeks following the shooting, the City of Ottawa revoked the Zeller Inn’s liquor license, citing multiple ordinance violations; city officials indicated the action stemmed from broader licensing issues rather than the shooting alone.
—Willow Moss
This is a developing story and will be updated as confirmed information becomes available. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.