Mark Dicara, 62, believed he was under attack by a burglar on April 10, 2023, according to the Daily Mail. In his mistaken state, he grabbed a .357 revolver and fired at the perceived intruder. However, he ended up shooting himself in the leg, causing a significant wound due to the caliber of the gun.
Upon arrival, the police discovered Dicara with a gunshot wound and bleeding profusely. They promptly applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and rushed him to the hospital. Thankfully, no one else was injured during the incident.
A subsequent investigation by the police revealed that no home invasion had taken place. It was also discovered that Dicara did not possess a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card, which is mandatory in the state of Illinois. It was disclosed that his previous identification card had been revoked, although the reason behind the revocation was not specified.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office announced their intent to press charges against Dicara for unlawfully possessing a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card, constituting a Class 3 felony in Illinois. Additionally, he was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony.
A Class 3 felony carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years, along with fines of up to $25,000. A Class 4 felony conviction can lead to a prison term of one to three years and fines of up to $25,000.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Dicara is a semi-retired attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois and Wisconsin. He was released on a $150,000 bond following the unusual incident of shooting himself in a dream.
In a similar incident in 2021, a 35-year-old Wisconsin man reportedly obtained and discharged a handgun while asleep, unintentionally shooting a 29-year-old woman. The man was subsequently arrested.
