Four charged in Wadsworth shooting, beatings

Four people have been charged in connection with a shooting and beatings that left a man and two women injured in Wadsworth, Lake County sheriff's police said.

Police said they responded to a shots fired report at 10:38 p.m. Thursday on the 15200 block of West Wadsworth Road. The four suspects fled but were captured by Zion police a short time later on the 2300 block of Ravine Drive, according to authorities.

Authorities announced Friday that Milton K. Stricklin, 22, of the 1300 block of Chestnut Street in Waukegan, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge with a firearm, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and mob action.

Charged with aggravated battery and mob action were: Paige R. Bothern, 22, of the 2700 block of 31st Street, Zion; Christopher P. Keough, 20, of the 700 block of Whitney Avenue, Winthrop Harbor; and Veronica H. Diehn, 22, of the 2400 block of Ezekiel Avenue, Zion.

Police said the foursome started a fight with the victims after driving to their residence.

During the fight, police said, Stricklin pulled out a handgun and used it to batter the victims about their faces and bodies. He then fired the gun several times, striking a 22-year-old woman and the inside of the apartment, according to authorities.

Stricklin beat a 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman with the weapon, police said. The woman who was shot was taken to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, while the other two victims refused medical treatment.

Police said a preliminary investigation by the sheriff's gang task force indicates an argument previously occurred between Bothern and the woman who was shot by Stricklin.

Stricklin remained in the Lake County jail on 10 percent of a $200,000 bail Friday, while Bothern, Keough and Diehn each were held on $35,000.

All four are due in Lake County circuit court Wednesday.