Waukegan murder suspect in custody after shooting

A 29-year-old Waukegan man has been charged with two counts of first degree murder for killing a 30-year-old acquaintance during a family gathering Wednesday, police said.

Deon Hill, of the 800 Block of South Martin Luther King Drive, was involved in an argument at his home about 9:55 p.m. Wednesday night, Cmdr. Wayne Walles of the Waukegan Police Department said

As the altercation heated up, Hill pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired it at 29-year-old David Howell of Waukegan, Walles said.

Bullets hit Howell in the chest and arm, Walles said. Hill fled the scene after the shooting.

Police and rescue crews on the scene saw Howell in the street bleeding from three gun shot wounds, said Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.

The victim was taken to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead, Keller said.

Witness interviews revealed Hill was the shooter, Walles said. Police located him in the 300 block of North Green Bay Road late Wednesday and booked him as a person of interest.

Hill was officially charged with two counts of first degree murder late Thursday night. He is now housed in Lake County jail in lieu of $2 million bond.