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Suspect in Waukegan shootout that left teenager dead released without charges

The 27-year-old Waukegan man who was detained by police after a shootout that left a Zion teenager dead more than a week ago has been released without charges.

The shootout happened just before 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22 near the intersection of Park Avenue and Water Street, Waukegan police said.

According to investigators, the 27-year-old was shopping at a grocery store near the intersection when he got into an argument with the victim and two others, exchanging insults and gang signs.

Police said the 27-year-old, who lives nearby, went home and retrieved a firearm, then returned to the intersection where gunfire soon erupted between the two sides.

A vehicle with a woman and her two small children inside were caught in the crossfire, police said. No one in the vehicle was injured by bullets, but a boy suffered minor injuries from shattered glass.

Two nearby homes were struck by gunfire as well. A total of 45 shots were fired, investigators said.

Police said 19-year-old Christopher Tapia was shot in the gunfight and later died from a gunshot wound.

After locating the 27-year-old, police recovered four handguns, two of which had been illegally converted to fully automatic weapons.

Waukegan police officials said the evidence from the shootout was turned over to the Lake County state’s attorney’s office, but no charges were filed; the 27-year-old was “released pending further investigation.”

The shooting remains under investigation, police said.

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