The coroner has released the identity of a 19-year-old man from Round Lake Beach who was fatally shot in the chest while attending a birthday party in Ingleside Friday evening.
An autopsy performed Tuesday showed Alejandro Castaneda, 19, of Round Lake Beach, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
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 Castaneda shot in the driveway.
The teen was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body and prosecutors said he was shot in the chest.
Sheriff’s deputies attempted lifesaving efforts on Castaneda until the Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded and took over lifesaving efforts, Covelli said.
Castaneda was pronounced dead at the scene and the Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified.
A preliminary investigation shows Castaneda 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.
Two large groups were involved in the argument. Castaneda was among one group and Yurem Mejia-Gomez, 18, of Round Lake Beach, was among the other, prosecutors said.
Covelli said the argumentative group left and got into their vehicles.
They drove by the residence and Mejia-Gomez began shooting, striking Castaneda, who was in the driveway, Covelli said. The group fled from the scene.
Surveillance video showed two vehicles, a Chevrolet Camaro and a black Infiniti, leaving the scene, prosecutors said. Three 10mm shell casings were recovered.
A witness told investigators he knew the Infiniti was used in the shooting and that Mejia-Gomez was in the vehicle at the time, prosecutors said.
The witness also knew where the gun was suspected to be located, where Mejia-Gomez lived and where the Infiniti was parked.
Detectives located the Infiniti parked at the residence of Mejia-Gomez in the 300 block of Meadow Green Lane in Round Lake Beach and seized it.
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. Detectives arrested Mejia-Gomez in a truck belonging to the suspect’s father.
Lake County Sheriff’s Explosive Detection Canine Zack gave indications that there was a firearm in the vehicle, which was parked in front of the home, prosecutors said.
A stolen 10 mm firearm, along with ammunition, was located in a backpack in the vehicle.
Covelli said the firearm was believed to have been used in the shooting.
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.
Prosecutors said Mejia-Gomez admitted to shooting the victim.
“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.
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 appeared in First Appearance Court on Sunday morning and the state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Lake County Judge Stacey Seneczko ordered Mejia-Gomez held in the Lake County Jail until a detention hearing, which she scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.