Man whose gun didn’t go off in north Normal indicted for murder attempt

Posted on January 3, 2018

*Walter Sweeney, 31, is now charged with attempted murder for allegedly pulled the trigger of his handgun on a male victim, but the weapon didn’t fire. (McLean County Jail photo)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A Logan County man accused of trying to shoot someone in North Normal a couple of weeks ago now faces an attempted murder charge.

A McLean County grand jury indicted Walter Sweeney, 31, of Latham for attempted murder, in addition to the previous counts of attempted aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery.

Normal Police say Sweeney pointed a handgun at the victim on December 20 in the 1700 block of Fredrick Lane.

Sweeney allegedly pulled the trigger, but the gun didn’t go off.

Prosecutors say Sweeney was also armed with a hammer, and the victim’s car was damaged.

No one was hurt. Authorities have not commented on a motive.

The investigation is not over, and police are asking anyone with information to call Sgt. Rob Cherry at 309-454-9726 or McLean County Crime Stoppers at 309-828-1111.

Sgt. Cherry can also be reached at [email protected].

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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