A Bloomington man, acquitted in December for attempted murder, is now facing charges after allegedly shooting into a wooded area near apartments on the Fourth of July.
Sean Rivers, 23, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a level 6 felony charge of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of false informing.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Bloomington Police Department responded to a call around 11:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July. A neighbor said Rivers had been shooting into a wooded area between apartment complexes.
The neighbor provided officers with doorbell video that showed Rivers outside saying “I gotta wait ‘til the fireworks come back on so I can pull this bitch,” and then the sound of apparent gunshots.
The officer saw Rivers holding a firearm and said Rivers shot four rounds total. Rivers said he only shot one.
The officer said children crying could also be heard on the video. A child on a porch nearby is heard asking Rivers “what are you doing?"
Officers arrested Rivers and collected the firearm for evidence. Rivers was taken to jail and held on a $500 cash bond. He entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance.
His next hearing is scheduled in August. A jury trial is currently set for late November.
Rivers had been arrested last July for shooting a 51-year-old man after a disagreement at a restaurant where Rivers worked. Rivers was charged with attempted murder and was found not guilty in December. He was released from jail and the charge was expunged.
