Demonshea Davidson, 32, was convicted of one of one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X felony). 

The trial began on Monday, May 5, and lasted four days. The jury heard from State witnesses, including law enforcement officers and forensic experts.  

Law enforcement officers testified to responding to a report of shots fired at a family amusement center in Waukegan. They collected numerous pieces of evidence from the site, including spent shell casings and a surveillance video that captured the entire incident.  

Through surveillance footage, officers observed a man, later identified as Davidson, firing a gun in the parking lot, in the direction of the family amusement center. The video also depicted him inside the center shortly before the shooting occurred. 

Davidson was out on bond at the time of this offense after being charged with multiple firearm offenses, including Armed Habitual Criminal, in December 2019 and posting $25,000 cash. (Davidson was convicted of these charges in May 2023). This was prior to the effective date of bail reform which now prevents individuals charged with firearm offenses from using cash bail to secure release. Such firearm offenders are now detained in the jail by order of court.  

Davidson was taken into custody by Waukegan Police in January 2023, due to the 2022 shooting incident. Because the offense occurred prior to bail reform, a judge set Davidson’s bond at $1.5 million dollars. After the conviction at the first trial for the December 2019 incident, the Court revoked Davidson’s ability to post bond.  

After the verdict, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “Our experienced prosecutors continue to hold dangerous individuals accountable. This defendant continued to put our community at risk, even after posting $25,000 for a separate incident in 2019. During this 2022 incident, he endangered the parents and the children who were present at the family center that day. Thanks to the great work of law enforcement, we were able to secure another conviction against a violent individual who now faces decades in the Illinois Department of Corrections.” 

Armed Habitual Criminal carries a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections. The sentence for the charges stemming from this incident can be served either concurrently, resulting in a total sentencing range of 6 to 30 years, or consecutively, to his conviction in the December 2019 incident, which could lead to a combined sentencing range of 12 to 60 years in prison. 

Prosecutors have indicated that they intend to argue that Davidson should serve his sentences consecutively. Davidson’s next court date is scheduled for June 16, 2025, for a status hearing on post-trial motions.