Two charged in shooting near Menta Academy in Waukegan

An adult and a teenager face gun charges after shooting at each other on a street near the Menta Academy in Waukegan, authorities said.

Ricardo Perez, 27, of Beach Park, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the shooting in the 600 block of Belvidere Road at 1:45 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

The 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon and is in custody at the Lake County Hulse Juvenile Detention Center near Vernon Hills, authorities said.

No one was injured at the school, and no Menta students or staff were part of the shooting, authorities said.

Police were called to the area for a reported shooting in the street, authorities said. Officers learned Perez had been shot and he was detaining the juvenile a few blocks away.

The Waukegan Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division determined through the investigation that Perez and the teen had a verbal altercation in the street. Both had handguns, and fired multiple rounds at each other.

The Menta Academy was in session when the shooting started, and the building was struck by a stray bullet. An off-duty police officer providing security at the school assisted in placing the school on lockdown protocol.

Perez suffered a nonlife threatening bullet wound, and was transported to the hospital. He was treated and released into police custody.

He's held in Lake County jail on $750,000 bail.

Both handguns believed to be used in the shooting have been recovered, authorities said. No one other than Perez was injured.

Perez is due to appear in court July 9.