A judge denied pre-trial release to a Waukegan man charged with first-degree murder after prosecutors say he fatally shot a person during a gun purchase meetup in Beach Park.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:10 p.m. on February 9 to the 39300 block of Melbourne Court in Beach Park for a report of shots fired.
A 911 caller reported they heard several shots fired in the area, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The caller also reported seeing two African American men, ages 20-25, running from the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located several spent shell casings on the roadway along with shattered glass from a car, Covelli said.
Deputies learned a vehicle was driven to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with a gunshot victim that was dropped off at the emergency room.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the victim as Tavontee Fox, 24, of Waukegan.
Fox was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy showed he suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Covelli said Fox was a passenger in the car, which was parked on Melbourne Court, when the shooting occurred.
Detectives seized the car and were processing it for evidence.
A home was also struck by gunfire in addition to the car, Covelli said. Nobody inside the home was injured.
Covelli said in an update Wednesday that the investigation showed that Fox and Cyncere L. Tillman, 24, of Waukegan, arranged to meet.
The meeting took place near Tillman’s friend’s house on Melbourne Court.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said the meetup was for a gun purchase. Fox was attempting to purchase a .38 revolver and had been texting Tillman to arrange the meetup.
Covelli said an argument ensued during the interaction and Tillman produced a firearm, firing multiple rounds at Fox and the driver of the car.
Vukovich said the shooting occurred after one of the two suspects asked Fox to see the money that he brought for the transaction.
The driver of the car who was with Fox told investigators that neither he nor Fox were armed and they did not return fire at the shooter.
Tillman was identified as the gunman through evidence and thorough investigative work, Covelli said, adding that Fox and Tillman were “associates.”
Vukovich said Tillman was arrested on Tuesday by detectives when he arrived at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan for a court hearing in a pending case.
Tillman was out on a $150,000 bond in a August 2023 case where he was charged with manufacturing or deliver of heroin and cocaine in Waukegan.
Also at the time of the murder, Tillman was on parole for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a 2020 case.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the fatal shooting investigation and approved two counts of first-degree murder against Tillman.
Charges are pending against the second suspect involved but he has not been captured yet.
Tillman remains held in the Lake County Jail after Lake County Judge James Simonian denied his pre-trial release.
Attorney Robert T. Ritacca, who is representing Tillman, sought his release and argued that his client was not responsible for the death of Fox.
“Our detectives have been investigating this homicide nonstop since it occurred. Because of their dedication and tenacious investigative work, the man responsible for this crime is in custody and charged with murder,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said following the arrest.
“We are also thankful for the ongoing collaboration with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office,” Idleburg added.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 20.