Aurora man found guilty of shooting friend in face

A man was found guilty Thursday of shooting a friend in the face last year during an argument in west suburban Aurora.

John W. Sperry, 56, of the 300 block of Grant Place in Aurora, was convicted by a jury Thursday at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles on felony counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, according to the Office of the Kane County State’s Attorney. He faces a minimum sentence of six years.

On March 4, 2017, Sperry drove to the home of a friend about 4:40 p.m. in the 300 block of Jackson Street in Aurora in his 1988 Cadillac Brougham, where he remained in his vehicle while arguing with the man as he stood in the driveway, prosecutors said. Sperry then pulled out a .38-caliber handgun and fired a single shot that struck the man in the cheek and exited the back of his head.

Sperry drove away, but was spotted by police near Ohio Street and Grove Street, authorities said. He led police on a 14 minute chase, ignoring multiple traffic control devices and speeding. Sperry was taken into custody after striking a utility pole at Claim Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Sperry remains in custody at the Kane County jail.

Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti set Sperry’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Feb. 7 in courtroom 319 of the Kane County Judicial Center.