Aurora man charged in fatal shooting in front of St. Charles nightclub

An Aurora man has been charged with first-degree murder in a fatal shooting in front of Trilogy Nightclub in St. Charles early Sunday morning that left one person dead and injured three others.

Michael D.V. Carwell, 22, of the 1900 block of Bayview Lane, Aurora, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three felony counts of attempted murder and three felony counts of aggravate battery. He is in custody in the Kane County Jail on a $3 million bond, with 10 percent ($300,000) to apply for bail.

According to a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, at about 2 a.m. Sunday, Carwell approached 23-year-old Khalief McCallister, of Aurora, and the second victim in the parking lot in front of Trilogy Nightclub, 2051 Lincoln Highway, St. Charles.

The pair had just left the establishment, the news release stated. Carwell fired multiple shots from a 9mm handgun, killing McCallister and injuring three others, according to the release.

After being identified as a suspect, Carwell was taken into custody later on Sunday. Each of the surviving victims underwent emergency surgery; one is in stable condition while the other victim is listed in critical condition, according to police.

A fourth gunshot victim was driven to Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora. That victim was treated and released.

Carwell’s next court appearance is set for 10 a.m. July 16 in Courtroom 313 at the Kane County Judicial Center, via remote access.

The St. Charles Police Department and the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force are conducting the investigation, which continues. Anyone with information should call St. Charles police at 630-377-4435.

Calls may be made anonymously to 866-378-4267.

McAllister was one of two men charged with attempted first degree murder in a 2017 shooting in DeKalb that injured a 28-year-old woman. According to DeKalb Police, McAllister, who had previously lived in DeKalb, and another man allegedly fired several shots into an occupied vehicle in the 800 block of North Annie Glidden Road.

A 28-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to her leg while in the vehicle.

Even before Sunday’s fatal shooting in front of Trilogy Nightclub in St. Charles, the co-owner of neighboring business Sink or Swim Tattoo has had his share of problems with the nightclub after it opened in April.

Ryan Harnish, co-owner of Sink or Swim Tattoo, said he has been complaining to the city and aldermen about the noise from the nightclub.

“The noise is ridiculous,” he said. “You can hear them playing the speakers down at NAPA Auto Parts.”

NAPA Auto Parts is located down the street at 2025 Lincoln Highway.

Things have been so bad that they have been looking at relocating Sink or Swim Tattoo.

“We’re restricted to this zoning, so we haven’t been able to move,” Harnish said. “We’ve been wanting to move away from them.”

His business was closed at the time of the shooting.

Trilogy opened in April in the space that formerly housed Paradiso restaurant.

Owner David Brown is a former professional athlete who had played for the Chicago Rush/Chicago Slaughter in the Arena Football League. He owns Power Athletics Wellness in St. Charles, a nonprofit agency in St. Charles that focuses on helping low-income individuals, people with disabilities, veterans and seniors.

In talking about Trilogy Lounge earlier this year, he emphasized that the business would feature a variety of entertainment options, including comedy shows and salsa dance nights.

“We don’t want to be labeled just as a club,” Brown said. “We’re more than just a club. We want to appeal to everybody.”