A man and woman who were shot during a drug deal turned shootout in Beach Park last month have been charged. The shooting left a 22-year-old man dead.
Jaziya K. Bankston, 22, of the 2100 block of Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan, and Dishelle Y. Flores, 21, of the 2400 block of Kennedy Drive in North Chicago, were both charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and delivery of cannabis.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said detectives have conducted an extensive investigation into the July 26 shooting, which occurred around 1:15 p.m. in the 38900 block of North Lewis Avenue in Beach Park.
Bankston, Flores and a third person — Christopher Williams, 22, of North Chicago — met with an unidentified suspect in the parking lot of a business in the strip mall, Covelli said.
The three and the unidentified subject spoke for a period of time when an argument ensued.
Prosecutors said the meetup was a drug deal involving the sale of cannabis.
Bankston admitted to setting up the drug deal, prosecutors said.
The unidentified suspect, who was inside of a vehicle, fired numerous shots at the group, striking them while they were also in their vehicle, Covelli said.
At least one of the three subjects fired shots back at the unidentified suspect.
Both vehicles fled the scene. Bankston, Flores and Williams were found in their car on the side of the road at Wadsworth Road and Gabriel Avenue in Beach Park.
All three were transported to area hospitals by ambulance.
Williams was transported in critical condition and Bankston was in serious condition.
Flores suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Williams later died at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
Flores and Bankston both appeared in court Friday morning after being arrested Thursday. Flores appeared to be using crutches.
Prosecutors said that 188 grams of cannabis were found in the car that Bankston, Flores and Williams were inside of.
Prosecutors said that Flores threw a loaded gun out the window after the shooting.
A second loaded gun was found inside their car. Bankston, who has a revoked Firearm Owners Identification card, admitted to possessing that firearm, prosecutors said.
The charges filed against Flores and Bankston do not allege that they discharged the guns. It is unclear if additional charges will be brought against them.
Covelli said sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate and additional arrests and charges are likely.
“I am very proud of the thorough work of our initial deputies on the scene and the subsequent investigation by sheriff’s detectives. They are working diligently to hold everyone involved in this senseless shooting accountable,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
Flores remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $200,000 bond and Bankston remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $500,000 bond.