Police investigate a shooting in the parking lot behind 2421 Washington Street in Waukegan that left two women dead Wednesday evening and resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Stinnette, 18, of Winthrop Harbor (inset). | Inset: Provided; Background Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2023)

Police say a suspect is in custody after he allegedly fatally shot two 18-year-old women who were sitting in a car in a parking lot in Waukegan Wednesday evening.

The Waukegan Police Department responded around 5:06 p.m. Wednesday to 2421 Washington Street for a report of shots fired.

Officers found two females, ages 18, that were shot in a vehicle in the rear parking lot, according to Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Scott Chastain.

The Waukegan Fire Department responded and confirmed the two victims were deceased.

Officers secured the scene and began to canvass for witnesses and cameras.

Police investigate a shooting in the parking lot behind 2421 Washington Street in Waukegan that left two women dead Wednesday evening. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2023)

Investigators quickly identified Jonathan Stinnette, 18, of Winthrop Harbor, as a suspect, Chastain said.

Chastain said Stinnette and a 21-year-old Waukegan resident both fled the scene in a black Nissan following the shooting.

Witness statements conducted indicate the shooting appeared to be domestic-related, Chastain said, adding that Stinnette had a relationship with one of the victims.

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The Waukegan Police Department Major Crime Scene Unit processed the crime scene for evidence.

Several 9mm spent casings were recovered at the scene.

Police also located a 9mm handgun that was shot empty with the gun slide locked to the rear. The weapon is being sent for testing.

Police investigate a shooting in the parking lot behind 2421 Washington Street in Waukegan that left two women dead Wednesday evening. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2023)

Detectives learned the subjects fled north towards Winthrop Harbor where Stinnette resides.

The black Nissan was located at a residence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that Stinnette and the second subject were known to frequent, Chastain said.

The Kenosha Police Department took both subjects into custody.

Detectives from the Waukegan Police Department traveled to Kenosha and interviewed and obtained statements from Stinnette and the second person involved.

Chastain said detectives obtained a search warrant for an apartment at 2431 Washington Street, which is where the two ran into before fleeing the scene.

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Police investigate a shooting in the parking lot behind 2421 Washington Street in Waukegan that left two women dead Wednesday evening. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2023)

The Lake County Stateโ€™s Attorneyโ€™s Office approved four counts of first-degree murder against Stinnette.

An arrest warrant carrying a $5 million bond was obtained.

The 21-year-old subject involved was released pending further investigation, Chastain said.

Stinnette remains held in the Kenosha County Jail pending extradition back to Illinois.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office has not released the identities of the two victims pending autopsies scheduled for Friday.