ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A fatal shooting occurred at the Arbor Lakes Apartments on Sunday, resulting in the death of 33-year-old Jimmie Jackson Franklin from Chicago. According to Arlington Heights police, no charges will be filed against the man responsible for the shooting.
The incident began when Franklin unlawfully entered an apartment near Bloomington Avenue and Lake-Cook Road at approximately 1:40 p.m. The apartment belonged to a woman who had previously obtained an order of protection against him. Once inside, Franklin immediately attacked a male guest in the apartment, quickly gaining a position of physical dominance.
In an effort to defend himself and the resident, the male guest retrieved a handgun and fired a single shot, hitting Franklin in the upper body. The shooter had a valid Illinois concealed carry license, according to local media.
Following the shooting, the resident called 911, and the shooter surrendered to the responding officers. Both individuals were taken to the Arlington Heights police station for questioning while forensic technicians processed the scene for evidence.
An autopsy conducted by the Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed that Franklin died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Police were able to corroborate the sequence of events through physical evidence, forensic data, and witness statements. After reviewing the case with the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, they decided not to pursue criminal charges against the shooter.
Detectives noted that they had initially considered the past relationship between the resident and Franklin as a potential factor in the shooting.
This incident highlights the limitations of protection orders, which, while important, are ultimately just pieces of paper and cannot physically prevent someone from causing harm. In this case, despite the protection order, Franklin was able to forcibly enter the apartment and attack. Fortunately, the presence of a firearm and a valid concealed carry license allowed the male guest to effectively defend himself and the woman. This underscores the importance of being prepared for self-defense and having a legally sound plan for personal protection.
