(Lake County, IL) On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, a Lake County judge sentenced Kaleb Brown, 23, to 22 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the February 2022 shooting of a man who was working at a Dollar General in Waukegan. Brown was convicted in December 2025 of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm after a jury trial. 

Following the sentencing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “This horrific shooting led to devasting injuries for the victim and deeply impacted the community. Our trial team made sure that this offender faced decades in prison. We will continue to hold offenders accountable after the crime while also supporting the victim for as long as they need it.” 

During the sentencing, Assistant State's Attorneys Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg, Scott Hoffert, and Mary Vukovich presented evidence in aggravation, including testimony from a former Zion Police Department officer and a Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) correctional officer. 

The former Zion police officer testified that in June 2022, he responded to assist with a traffic stop involving Brown, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Brown and another passenger ran from the stop. During the search of the vehicle, officers recovered two firearms. Forensic analysis revealed that Brown’s DNA was on one of the firearms.  

During the LCSO’s correctional officer’s testimony, jail surveillance footage from January 2026 was introduced into evidence that showed Brown involved in a physical altercation with multiple inmates. 

The victim wrote a victim-impact statement, which was read in court. In the statement, the victim described the physical and emotional injuries that he suffered as a result of the shooting. He described how the incident permanently altered him, including forcing him to abandon several life goals.  

ASA Kalcheim Rothenberg argued that Brown’s violent conduct – during and after the crime – demonstrated his disregard for human life. She emphasized that Brown has shown violent behavior while being out in the community and while incarcerated. Prosecutors further argued that Brown be sentenced toward the higher end of the sentencing range.  

Aggravated Battery with a Firearm carries a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years to be served at 85%.