CHICAGO TEENS CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL ATTEMPTED SUBURBAN CAR THEFT
Five Chicago teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder after a member of their group was fatally shot by a homeowner in the north suburbs while they allegedly tried to break into a vehicle.
Four unidentified juvenile males and 18-year-old Diamond C. Davis were all charged as adults Tuesday with first-degree murder, the Lake County sheriff ’s office said.
The incident began about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday when the teens allegedly tried to break into a car in the 17600 block of West Edwards Road in Old Mill Creek, Lake County sheriff ’s office spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said. A 75-year-old man told investigators he saw a black Lexus SUV in his driveway and a group of people trying to break into or steal his vehicle, Covelli said.
Two teens — one of whom held something in his hand — allegedly approached the man on his porch, Covelli said. The man fired at least three rounds from a revolver, one of which hit a 14-year-old Chicago boy in the head.
The man, who had a valid FOID card and concealed carry permit, called 911, Covelli said. Investigators found a knife at the scene.
The group got back into the Lexus and drove away, according to Covelli. A short time later, the SUV pulled up to Gurnee officers investigating a crash near Route 132 and Hunt Club Road. The 14-year-old who had been shot and a 17-year-old boy got out, Covelli said. The 17-year-old asked for help, and an officer called for an ambulance and performed first aid. The 14-year-old boy was pronounced dead at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
The four other occupants of the Lexus sped onto I-94. The pursuit ended about 15 minutes later when the Lexus stopped near Randolph and Halsted on the Near West Side, state police said. Covelli said the Lexus stopped because it ran out of gas. The four were arrested after a foot chase. The Lexus was reported stolen from Wilmette on Aug. 11, Covelli said. The teens are each being held on $1 million bail.