The sheriff has arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed a Round Lake Beach teen during a birthday party in Ingleside Friday evening, calling it a “senseless act of violence.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 11:15 p.m. Friday to the 35700 block of North Wilson Road in Ingleside for a report of a shooting.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said deputies responding to reports of shots fired encountered a person shot in the driveway.
The 19-year-old man was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Sheriff’s deputies attempted lifesaving efforts until the Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded and took over lifesaving efforts, Covelli said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified.
A preliminary investigation shows the victim was at the residence attending a birthday party, Covelli said.
A group arrived at the party and engaged in an argument with a group of partygoers.
Covelli said the argumentative group left and got into their vehicles.
They drove by the residence and began shooting, striking the 19-year-old who was in the driveway. The group fled from the scene.
Sheriff’s detectives later identified the vehicle that was used in the drive-by shooting.
Detectives developed information as to who was responsible for the shooting, Covelli said.
Detectives located the vehicle parked at the residence of Yurem Mejia-Gomez, 18, of the 300 block of Meadow Green Lane in Round Lake Beach.
Mejia-Gomez was identified as the shooter and detectives learned of a potential home in Round Lake Beach where the firearm may have been hidden following the shooting, Covelli said.
That residence was searched but no firearm was located. Lake County Sheriff’s Explosive Detection Canine Zack gave indications that there was a firearm in a car parked in front of the home.
Covelli said the vehicle was searched and the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was located, along with ammunition that matched the type of rounds fired during the incident.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the issuance of two search warrants during the investigation.
The state’s attorney’s office reviewed the case and approved charges against Mejia-Gomez for two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
“Our patrol deputies, detectives, and explosive detection canine team worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend the person responsible for this senseless act of violence,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Their swift and thorough investigation demonstrates the dedication of our team to ensuring that those who harm others are held accountable as quickly as possible,” Idleburg said.
Covelli said it is unclear yet whether the victim was involved in the argument.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy on the victim for Tuesday morning. They said it appears he suffered a single gunshot wound.
The teen’s identity will not be released until his family has been notified and the autopsy has been completed.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they thank the Round Lake Beach Police Department for assisting with both personnel and translation services during the investigation.
Mejia-Gomez is scheduled to appear in First Appearance Court on Sunday morning.