Police announced a person of interest is in custody and a gun has been recovered after a 15-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet fired outside her Round Lake Beach home.
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Round Lake Beach Police Department responded around 9:10 p.m. Wednesday to the 1500 block of Cherokee Drive in Round Lake Beach.
Multiple 911 callers initially reported hearing some type of explosion sound. It was also reported that a person was injured.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said officers arrived and found a 15-year-old girl who had suffered a gunshot wound inside a residence.
There was no evidence of an explosion and the “explosion” sound was the gunshot.
A preliminary investigation shows a person fired a gun outside near the home, Covelli said.
A stray bullet shot from the firearm entered the girl’s home and struck her.
Covelli said the victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the girl Thursday afternoon as Valeria Rodriguez, 15, of Round Lake Beach.
The family of Rodriguez told WGN that the girl was sitting down to eat dinner when she was shot.
The father of the victim is seeking justice and asking for people to come forward with information on the suspect.
“It does not appear the victim was the intended target of the shooting,” Covelli said.
The Round Lake Beach Police Department requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
Covelli said in an update Friday morning that investigators continue to make progress in the homicide investigation.
Investigators developed several leads and a person of interest was identified.
“Enough evidence was gathered to support a search warrant at the home of the person of interest. During the search warrant, a firearm was located and seized,” Covelli said.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators continue to conduct follow-up investigation.
The facts and circumstances of the case are expected to be reviewed with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
A neighbor who spoke to Lake and McHenry County Scanner said they heard an explosion or bang and then the mother of the victim screaming and yelling because her daughter had been injured.
Multiple neighbors described the gunshot as being similar to a firework.
Police investigators scoured the area near the home and repeatedly expanded the crime scene during their investigation.
Investigators were seen in Greenview Park, which is directly across the street from the victim’s home.
Investigators were also seen going door-to-door interviewing neighbors.
An autopsy performed showed Rodriguez died as a result of a gunshot wound to the torso, Banek said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Villa Police Department, Round Lake Park Police Department and other agencies were present at the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Round Lake Beach Police Department at 847-546-2127.