Kaleb Brown, 23, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the February 2022 shooting of a Dollar General employee in Waukegan, Illinois.

Aggravated Battery Conviction

Brown was sentenced after being found guilty in December 2025 of aggravated battery with a firearm. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office announced the sentence following a jury trial where prosecutors presented extensive evidence.

Evidence Presented at Trial

Prosecutors detailed Brown’s actions surrounding the shooting and his subsequent attempts to evade law enforcement. Testimony revealed a June 2022 traffic stop in Zion where Brown, as a passenger, attempted to flee with another individual.

A search of the vehicle yielded two firearms, and forensic analysis revealed Brown’s DNA on one of them. This evidence directly linked him to the possession of a firearm.

Further Evidence of Violent Behavior

A Lake County sheriff’s correctional officer testified about a January 2026 incident while Brown was incarcerated. Surveillance footage showed Brown engaging in a physical altercation with multiple inmates, demonstrating a propensity for violence.

Impact on the Victim

The victim provided a written impact statement detailing the profound physical and emotional injuries sustained as a result of the shooting. He stated the incident had “permanently altered” his life and forced him to abandon his goals.

Sentencing and Illinois Law

Aggravated battery with a firearm carries a sentencing range of six to 30 years in Illinois. Brown will serve at least 85% of his 22-year sentence before being eligible for parole, as mandated by state law.

The prosecution argued for a sentence towards the higher end of the range, citing the severity of the crime and Brown’s disregard for the law.