Round Lake Beach teen gets 6 years for gang-related shooting

A Round Lake Beach teen was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday after admitting he shot a fellow gang member in the leg.

Juan Arias, 18, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated discharge of a firearm during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge George Bridges.

Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Demartini said Arias, of the 1500 block of Woodbine Drive, was walking with four other men in the area of Glenwood Drive and Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake Beach last Sept. 30.

Some members of a rival gang threw a rock at the group, Demartini said, and Arias reached for a .38-caliber revolver he had in his waistband.

The pistol fired as Arias drew it, and a 23-year-old Round Lake Beach man who was standing next to Arias was hit in the leg by the bullet.

The man suffered a severe leg wound and was hospitalized for several days after the shooting.

Arias then fired five more shots in the direction of the rival gang, Demartini said, but did not hit anyone.

One of those shots passed into the kitchen of a nearby house where a family was having dinner and lodged in a wall.

Arias was originally charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm, but Demartini said he agreed to reduce the charge in exchange for the guilty plea.