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Two charged in murder of Wheeling man

Police: Victim wasn't intended target

Two teens have been charged in the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man Wednesday night in Wheeling.

Jesus Sanchez, 18, of the 2000 block of West Nichols Road in Arlington Heights, and Collin Scheffler, 19, of the 0-100 block of Countryside Lane in Prospect Heights were both charged with first-degree murder, a Class X felony, and attempted first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony in the shooting death of Rafael Orozco.

During the investigation of the Wednesday night murder, interrogations of both Sanchez and Scheffler determined that they had planned to kill a rival gang member who was standing near Orozco when he was shot, according to Wheeling police.

The planned murder of this other person had been based on previous confrontations on Wednesday, police said.

Officers responded to a call of gunshots and a person struck at the Winetree Apartments on the 400 block of Pleasant Run Drive at about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival, they found Orozco with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was taken to Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview where he died from his injuries.

Wheeling police and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force began interviewing witnesses whose information led investigators to conclude that both Sanchez and Scheffler were involved in the murder, police said.

According to police, both Sanchez and Scheffler admitted to their involvement in the planned murder of a rival gang member. Investigators characterized Sanchez as a self-admitted gang member and Scheffler as the driver of the vehicle involved in the crime, police said.

Despite the filing of charges, Wheeling police said the investigation is continuing in order to locate the murder weapon and any additional witnesses.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to call the Wheeling Police Department at (847) 459-2632.

Sanchez and Scheffler are awaiting their initial bond hearing in Cook County circuit court, Wheeling Deputy Police Chief John Teevans said.

Wheeling shooting victim was “a good man,” family says

Collin Scheffler
Jesus Sanchez
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