Harvey man pleads guilty in 2021 Aurora carjacking that left woman paralyzed

CHICAGO - A man from Harvey has pled guilty after a 2021 carjacking that left a woman paralyzed in Aurora. 

Edward J. McGee, 27, has agreed to a sentence of 35 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of aggravated vehicular hijacking.

On January 16, 2021, in a restaurant parking lot in the 1200 block of North Orchard Road, McGee and three others stole a car. 

During the theft they struggled with the car owner who was seated inside, pushing and pulling her as she struggled with them before one of the co-defendants fired at least three shots from a handgun. One bullet struck the victim, leaving her permanently paralyzed. 

Edward J. McGee | Kane County State's Attorney

During the plea hearing, Judge Tracy said to McGee, "There were four of you and one of her. I don’t know why someone had to shoot her. This was a completely senseless act of violence that she will be paying the price for every day for the rest of her life. I hope you think about that every day."

The sentence is 20 years for the aggravated vehicular hijacking offense, plus a mandatory 15-year enhancement because McGee was armed with a gun at the time of the offense.

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According to Illinois law, McGee must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 550 days served in the Kane County jail.