U.S. officials say they are saddened and have released the official portrait of an 18-year-old Navy recruit who died after being shot at Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County.
The Great Lakes Fire Department, Great Lakes Police Department and North Chicago Fire Department responded around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to 3350 Illinois Street in Great Lakes for a report of a shooting.
An initial report indicated a person was shot but that it was not an active shooter incident.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the victim as Kayshawn Wilkerson, 18, of Ocala, Florida, and most recently residing at Great Lakes.
Emergency crews arrived and found Wilkerson, who was unresponsive, and lifesaving measures were performed.
The incident reportedly occurred at Building 7315 — the USS Wisconsin Firing Range — at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago.
Police were seen around both Building 7315 and Building 7325, which are adjacent to each other. Building 7325 is the USS Missouri Simulated Small Arms Marksmanship Trainer.
Wilkerson was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner’s office said they were called to the scene around 4:40 p.m.
Banek said an autopsy was performed on Wilkerson on Thursday and the results showed he died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The nature of the shooting is consistent with being self-inflicted, Banek said.
Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs Officer Lt. Beau Nickerson said the Navy was “saddened to confirm” the death and that Wilkerson, a Seaman Recruit, was assigned to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes.
“The Navy is providing full support to the family, friends, and shipmates affected by this tragic loss,” Nickerson said.
“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway. Out of respect for the family and to preserve the integrity of the investigative process, no further details will be released at this time,” Nickerson said.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is investigating Wilkerson’s death.
U.S. officials released Wilkerson’s official portrait on Friday.
The incident occurred on the same day that a U.S. Army sergeant shot five soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia.