Michael Freund, inset, allegedly shot a man to death following a fight over a pizza and bar tab at Rosie O’Reilly’s in Wheaton, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Freund is charged with first-degree murder. (Mug shot: DuPage County Sheriff; Bar photo: Google maps)
Police in Illinois say a man murdered another man over a dispute over a pizza and bar bill.
It happened around 8:40 a.m. Friday at the restaurant Rosie O’Reilly’s in Wheaton, about 30 miles west of Chicago. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office responded to the bar for a call of shots fired and found the victim, Dexter Perkins, dead.
Detectives said that Perkins, the suspect, 49-year-old Michael Freund, and two other men began arguing over the bar and pizza tab. A brief scuffle ensued between Perkins and one of the other men outside on the front porch, and Freund allegedly pulled out a 9mm Glock handgun and fired two warning shots. Perkins then walked up to one of the other men. Freund, standing on the other side of a wooding railing, opened fire again, hitting Perkins in the torso and face, deputies say.
Freund, who allegedly fired the Glock a total of 11 times, walked to his truck and placed the gun in the center console. Deputies took him into custody without incident. Prosecutors charged Freund with first-degree murder.
Authorities say Perkins did not know Freund or any of the other men involved in the incident.
“It’s horrible to see this type of violence occur during the holiday season,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said in a statement.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin called the shooting a senseless act of violence.
“I offer my sincere condolences to Dexter’s family and friends and wish them strength as they are now forced to continue their lives without the love and friendship they enjoyed with Dexter,” he said.
Freund is at the DuPage County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 18.
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