Round Lake Beach man charged in deadly drive-by shooting
A Round Lake Beach man faces murder charges in connection with a drive-by shooting Friday in Ingleside that left a 19-year-old man dead, authorities announced Sunday.
Yurem Mejia-Gomez, 18, of the 300 block of Meadow Green Lane, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
He is scheduled to appear in court later today.
Lake County sheriff’s police said deputies responded at11:15 p.m. Friday to a report of shots fired in the 35700 block of North Wilson Road in Ingleside.
They arrived to find the 19-year-old in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies and paramedics attempted to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
A preliminary investigation revealed the man, who has not been publicly identified, was at the residence attending a birthday party, authorities said.
A group arrived at the party and began arguing with another group of partygoers before leaving, officials said. That group then drove by the residence and began shooting, striking the 19-year-old, who was in the driveway, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s detectives identified the vehicle believed used in the shooting and located it at Mejia-Gomez’ residence, authorities said.
Detectives also learned of a residence in Round Lake Beach where the gun may have been hidden following the shooting, officials said. No weapons were found in the home, but sheriff’s police dog Zack indicated there was a firearm in a car parked in front of the property. The vehicle was searched, and the gun believed to have been used in the shooting was located, along with ammunition that matched the type of rounds shot, authorities said.
“Our patrol deputies, detectives, and explosive detection canine team worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend the person responsible for this senseless act of violence,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in an announcement of the arrest Sunday.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Round Lake Beach Police Department.