Man arrested in Elgin drive-by lost brother in to gunfire

Diego Mascote, the 18-year-old man arrested in connection with a Friday drive-by shooting that injured a 21-year-old man in the foot, is the younger brother of Julian Mascote, the teenager gunned down last year in the Elgin Historic District, police confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

The elder Mascote, then 18, was one of two people shot and killed last summer in front of 353 North Street during a gang-related incident in which a bullet pierced his arm.

Francisco Franco, 21, was also slain in front of the home, dying from a single gunshot wound in his back. The masked gunman responsible for the double homicides has never been caught.

Diego Mascote, who turned 18 two days before the shooting in the 100 block of North Gifford Street on Friday, was arrested Monday evening. He is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.

He is listed as living at 353 North St. and faces up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted on the two counts.

The 21-year-old injured in Friday afternoon's drive-by has been released from a hospital, said Ann Dinges, a police spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, it's too early for police to link Friday's shooting to Julian Mascote's death, Dinges said.

"They're not really saying in one way or the other at this point, because they're still investigating," she said.

Mascote's bond has been set at $75,000. His next court date is Sept. 11

But this is not his first time behind bars.

Earlier this year, Mascote was sentenced to 30 days in jail after a conviction from charges last October of driving without a license, having no insurance, fleeing and eluding police, resisting arrest and not wearing a seat belt, according to court records.