4 charged after weapons seized at party in Wicker Park Airbnb

Four men are facing felony charges after police took them into custody and seized over 25 weapons Saturday at a “gang-related party” at an Airbnb in Wicker Park.

Martrell Williams, 22, and Alexander Raeland, 41, were each charged with aggravated battery of a police officer, Chicago police said. James Holmes, 25, also faces that charge, as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Lamont Clay, 27, was charged with a felony count of resisting and obstructing a police officer as well as a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, police said.

Martrell Williams | Chicago police

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Alexander Raeland | Chicago police

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James Holmes | Chicago police

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Lamont Clay | Chicago police

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All four were arrested just after 2 a.m. Saturday after police received a tip that there was a party of between 100 and 150 people, including dozens who were displaying multiple guns live on social media, police said.

As officers entered the building, people came streaming out, pushing and fighting the police and “discarding weapons as they fled,” police said. During the melee, the four men were taken into custody.

Cook County prosecutors said that officers knew the location was an Airbnb, and that the four men were physically aggressive with the officers. Raeland allegedly pushed a police captain and called him an expletive, while Holmes was said to have bumped into an officer before swinging his arms.

Williams initially left the party before heading back to push one officer in the arm and slam into another with his shoulder, prosecutors said. Clay allegedly resisted arrest by grabbing onto railings and doors.

Police performed “emergency takedowns” on all four men, which included tasing Holmes, who said that he only bumped into the officer because he was pushed from behind, according to prosecutors. Both Holmes and Williams allegedly admitted to being drunk.

A search of the building found a total of 24 handguns, a semiautomatic weapon and a short barrel rifle, police said.

Weapons seized at “gang related party” in Wicker Park | Chicago police

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Weapons seized at “gang related party” in Wicker Park | Chicago police

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All four men are convicted felons and were released on personal recognizance bonds and placed on electronic monitoring following a bail hearing Sunday, according to Cook County court records. They are due back in court Feb. 7.

In a statement, Ben Breit, a spokesman for Airbnb, said they “enforce a strict ban on both open invite parties and ‘party houses,’” and that the listing where the party took place has been removed from the platform until an investigation is completed.

“We’re thankful to CPD for getting illegal weapons off the street, and we’re in touch with 14th District command staff to offer our support with their investigation.” Breit said.

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