Mark Dicara, a 62-year-old resident, woke up to find himself injured, realizing that the entire incident had occurred in his dream.
An Illinois man is facing felony charges after shooting himself in the leg while mistakenly believing his home was being burglarized
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident that took place on April 10 in Lake Barrington, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
According to the authorities, Dicara recounted his account of the incident, stating that he had dreamt that an intruder was breaking into his home. In a state of panic, he grabbed his .357 Magnum revolver and fired at what he believed to be the burglar. However, his aim was off, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Lake County Deputy Chief, Christopher Covelli, noted that this was the first case he could recall where someone discharged a firearm due to a dream.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found Dicara in critical condition, losing a significant amount of blood from the leg wound. They promptly applied a tourniquet as a temporary measure before transporting him to a hospital for further treatment. Fortunately, the bullet did not penetrate the shared wall with Dicara’s neighbors, ensuring their safety.
Authorities subsequently confirmed that there was no actual burglary attempt at Dicara’s residence
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that Dicara was taken into custody on Monday and is now facing charges of possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and reckless discharge of a firearm. He was released on bail after posting a $150,000 bond. It remains unclear whether Dicara has retained legal representation.
Dicara is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the charges brought against him. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with firearms and emphasizes the importance of responsible gun ownership and handling.