Prosecutors say a man accused of possessing the gun that was used in the homicide of a 15-year-old girl in Round Lake Beach was on probation for an armed robbery case, a sentence he received just months ago.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli announced in an update Saturday morning that Round Lake Beach police detectives and Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigators reviewed video surveillance from several cameras in the area of the Wednesday shooting that killed Valeria Rodriguez, 15, of Round Lake Beach.
Investigators conducted a search warrant in the early morning hours on Friday at a home in the 1400 block of Kildeer Drive in Round Lake Beach.
During their search, they located a semi-automatic pistol and other evidence, Covelli said.
A preliminary analysis of the pistol shows it was consistent with discharging the shell casing located outside of Rodriguez’s home, Covelli said.
Investigators determined that Shorbonia Poole Jr., 19, who lives at the home where the search warrant was conducted, possessed the firearm that was used in the homicide, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony, against Poole Jr.
Covelli said additional charges are expected pending additional forensic information.
The shooting happened around 9:10 p.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of Cherokee Drive in Round Lake Beach.
Covelli said Round Lake Beach officers arrived and found a 15-year-old girl who had suffered a gunshot wound inside a residence.
A preliminary investigation shows a person fired a gun outside near the home, Covelli said.
A stray bullet shot from the firearm entered Rodriguez’s home and struck her.
Covelli said Rodriguez was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Lillian Lewis said in court Saturday that investigators recovered one 9mm spent shell casing near the park across the street from Rodriguez’s home.
Lewis said investigators identified Poole as a suspect in the case and executed the warrant at his residence where they recovered a 9mm firearm.
Poole was also observed walking in the area where the spent shell casing was later recovered, Lewis said.
Poole is a convicted felon from an armed robbery case out of Lake County, Lewis said, adding that he is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
Court records show Poole was charged in July 2023 with armed robbery with a firearm, theft by threatening and multiple counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for an incident in Round Lake Beach.
Poole pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed in that case.
A negotiated plea agreement resulted in Poole being sentenced in February to periodic imprisonment and 300 hours of public service, in addition to 48 months of probation.
He was also ordered not to possess any weapons and not consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
Poole faced up to 45 years in prison if he was convicted of the most serious charge of robbery while armed with a firearm, which is a Class X felony.
Lewis said the investigation into the homicide is ongoing and investigators are waiting on forensics but additional charges are expected “in the next few days.”
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Poole Jr. in custody pending trial.
During a First Appearance Court hearing Saturday morning, Lake County Judge Veronica O’Malley called the charges against Poole “extremely serious.”
She ordered Poole held in the Lake County Jail pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
The family of Rodriguez told WGN earlier this week that the girl was sitting down to eat dinner when she was shot.
“It does not appear the victim was the intended target of the shooting,” Covelli said.
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 on the night the homicide occurred.
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, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Victim Support Specialist Team has been activated and is in contact with the Rodriguez family.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, whose district includes Round Lake Beach, called the incident “absolutely devastating news.”
“My heart goes out to the victim’s loved ones reeling from this terrible loss. We have got to get this senseless gun violence out of our communities,” Schneider said.