Waukegan man denies Round Lake Beach gang shooting

A Waukegan man charged with shooting and wounding a rival gang member in Round Lake Beach pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Miguel Rodriguez, 19, faces a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years if convicted of armed violence.

Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said the shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. on the 1300 block of Cedar Lake Road. Rodriguez, of the 1500 block of Garden Place, drove a green Ford F-150 past members of a rival gang who were standing in a driveway, turned around and fired three shots as he went by them a second time.

A 20-year-old man was struck by a bullet that passed through his leg. A bullet went through the pants of a second man without striking him.

Police broadcast a description of the truck over the radio, and a Waukegan police officer stopped the vehicle about two hours after the shooting.

Foy said a .38 caliber shell casing was found on the floor of the truck, and gunpowder residue was found on Rodriguez's hand and the driver's side door.

Rodriguez also is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm.

Associate Judge George Bridges scheduled a trial of the case for June 29. Bridges ordered Rodriguez, who is held on $250,000 bond, to appear in court June 11.