Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Firing Gun at Division Blue Line Station
CHICAGO — Brandon Taylor, the man charged with firing a gun on the Division Blue Line station platform last year, has been sentenced to two years in prison. However, with credit for time spent on electronic monitoring since his arrest, Taylor is not expected to serve much time behind bars.
On February 19, 2024, Chicago police officers responded to 911 calls reporting shots fired on the platform at the CTA station located at 1200 North Milwaukee around 1:13 a.m. CTA workers and passengers directed the officers to the first car of a train that was stopped at the station.
Upon approaching the train car, officers witnessed Taylor falling out of the car onto his face and stomach. A handgun was allegedly recovered from his hoodie pocket, along with six shell casings from the area.
Prosecutors revealed that CTA video footage showed Taylor firing a gun into the tunnel following a disagreement with the train operator. Taylor did not possess a license to own firearms or carry a concealed weapon in the state of Illinois.
Records indicate that Taylor pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm.
Initially, Judge Susana Ortiz opted not to keep Taylor in jail as a safety threat when charges were filed against him in February. Instead, Taylor was placed on an ankle monitor and sent home, where he earned day-for-day credit towards his prison sentence.
According to Illinois Department of Corrections records, Taylor is set to be released on Valentine’s Day.
Judge Anjana Hansen presided over the case and handed down Taylor’s sentence.
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