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Walmart arsonist sparks chaos on New Year’s Eve, causing millions in damages

Woodstock, IL A 21-year-old woman is accused of setting multiple baby cribs on fire inside a Walmart on New Year’s Eve. Adilyn Monette has been charged with aggravated arson, according to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

A judge denied her pretrial release after her court appearance on Friday. The incident occurred at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

Monette allegedly entered the Walmart on Lake Ave and proceeded to the camping equipment aisle. She reportedly removed a can of camping fuel, placed it in a shopping cart, and returned to the baby section of the store.

Surveillance footage captured Monette retrieving a second can of camping fuel and then pouring it on several cribs before lighting them on fire using matches. She then exited the store.

Responding officers were able to identify Monette through her vehicle registration. Firefighters found the store evacuated upon arrival.

The fire caused an estimated $5 million in damage, affecting merchandise and physical structure. The building’s automatic sprinkler system extinguished the fire.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese commended Walmart staff and local emergency services for their actions amidst a crowded store. Monette has a pending criminal charge of arson from Colorado and is set to return to court on January 7.

Grand jury clears father in college shooting incident

Franklin County, KY

Jacob Bard will not face charges for a shooting incident involving a mob that attacked his son on a college campus. A Franklin County grand jury declined to indict Bard, citing insufficient evidence related to the shooting at Kentucky State University.

The incident began when Bard’s son experienced threats and harassment following a burglary in his dorm room in October. On December 6, a large group of individuals violently assaulted the 18-year-old and three of his friends in the dorm.

Two days later, the group returned to the campus with weapons, prompting Bard’s family to travel to the college around midnight. Upon arrival, they discovered that their son had not eaten for days due to safety concerns, and subsequent meetings with campus police failed to alleviate the family’s fears.

With continued threats against his son, Bard approached the dorm when he encountered individuals who had previously attacked his son. As tensions escalated, Bard armed himself with his wife’s firearm to protect his family from the oncoming crowd.

In the ensuing chaos, Bard shot two individuals who were attacking his son. One of the individuals died, while the other was hospitalized but later stabilized.

Bard was initially charged with murder and assault, but his attorney contended that the university failed to address ongoing threats and violence on campus. The attorney also criticized law enforcement for not pursuing charges against the attackers.

Bard’s family has received death threats, prompting them to relocate for their safety. The shooting remains under investigation, with Kentucky State University stating that it is cooperating with law enforcement and enhancing security measures on campus to protect its students.