Waukegan teen charged in gang-related shooting

Waukegan police arrested a 15-year-old and charged him with first-degree murder in the shooting of a rival gang member last week.

Edgar Ceasar Diaz of Waukegan is charged as an adult in the case. He's held in lieu of $3 million bond in the Hulse Detention Center near Vernon Hills.

Police Cmdr. Wayne Walles said Diaz was charged in connection with the April 25 murder of Miguel Celis, 18, of Waukegan. Celis had a gunshot wound to his chest when he was found near his home on the 700 block of Pine Street near Grand Avenue around 2:20 p.m.

Celis was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:27 p.m., said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller.

Walles said the motive was gang-related, and both were in rival gangs. Police have recovered a .38 caliber pistol believed to be used in the murder.

"There were witness statements that led us to the arrest," he said.