Alleged Lockport shooter released from jail

A 21-year-old man charged with recklessly firing a gun during an altercation was released from jail Thursday after a judge lowered his bond.

Ryan Barrett of Lockport and Ethan Maurella, 21, of Homer Glen both were arrested after police said the two tried to attack another 21-year-old man in a parking lot off Lawrence Avenue.

Barrett was booked into the Will County jail while Maurella was released on his own recognizance.

Police said that, during the altercation, Barrett was armed with a gun while Maurella was armed with a baseball bat. Police said when Maurella chased after the other man with a baseball bat, Barrett pointed a gun in the man’s direction but then fired a single shot into the ground.

On Thursday, Barrett’s attorney, Dan Walsh, requested Judge Dave Carlson lower his client’s bond from $150,000 to $25,000. Walsh argued Barrett was only 21, had no criminal history and his mother needs his help because his father had triple bypass surgery.

“It was some type of boyfriend-girlfriend dispute,” Walsh said of the incident.

Carlson lowered the bond to $50,000. Barrett posted $5,000 and was released Thursday afternoon, jail records show.

The alleged victim petitioned unsuccessfully for a protective order against Barrett, claiming he allowed Maurella to take “a few swings” at him with a baseball bat.

The man also said Barrett pulled a gun from his pants and “started threatening my life.”