Police announced Thursday that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Dollar General employee in Waukegan.
The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. on February 4 at the Dollar General, 2613 Grand Avenue in Waukegan, and prompted the response of the Waukegan Police Department and Waukegan Fire Department.
The victim’s father told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that his son was working as an employee at the store when the shooting happened.
He said that his 19-year-old son noticed a person shoplifting in the store and asked the person to leave.
“Things escalated. The guy went outside and pulled a gun and shot,” said the victim’s father, who did not want to be publicly identified.
The 19-year-old victim, who is a Waukegan resident, was shot in the face near his eye while trying to shut the store’s front door.
Paramedics transported the man to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment of severe facial injuries. He was later transferred to another hospital for surgery.
The 19-year-old has since been released from the hospital. “[He’s] doing pretty well for being shot in the head,” the victim’s father said earlier this month.
The man’s sister, Crystal Padilla, said her brother will need more surgeries for his eye moving forward.
“Elvis is a very to himself, quiet person who doesn’t bother anyone. He was simply and unfortunately presented with a person with no humanity or compassion,” Padilla said.
“My mom and all of his loved ones are doing the best we can with the support he needs and we ask for whatever help anyone would like to contribute for any accommodations he will need from now on with medical expenses, therapy, at home care, etc.,” Padilla said in a GoFundMe post.
The GoFundMe account has raised over $8,300 so far.
“God saved his life and we are now here to help him live the best version of it he can,” Padilla said.
On Monday, the Waukegan Police Department released surveillance photos of the suspect and asked the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
Detectives on Wednesday arrested a 15-year-old Waukegan boy in connection with the incident.
The juvenile, whose identity is not being released since he is under 18, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery.
The public’s tips led to the arrest, police said.
The juvenile is currently being held in the Depke Juvenile Complex Center in Vernon Hills. A court date is pending.