A man has been charged with possessing the gun that was used in the shooting that fatally wounded a 15-year-old girl as she ate dinner at her home in Round Lake Beach.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said 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.
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 is consistent with discharging the shell casing located outside of the home of Valeria Rodriguez, 15, of Round Lake Beach, 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.
Additional charges are expected pending additional forensic information.
Poole Jr. remains in custody pending a First Appearance Court hearing on Saturday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is filing a petition to detain Poole Jr. in custody pending trial.
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.
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 Rodriguez’s home and struck her.
Covelli said Rodriguez was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
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 continued to make progress in the homicide investigation.
Investigators developed several leads and Poole was identified as a person of interest.
“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.
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.
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.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Victim Support Specialist Team has been activated and is in contact with the Rodriguez family.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Villa Police Department, Round Lake Park Police Department and other agencies were present at the scene.