Two teenagers have been recently charged in connection with a shooting incident in Lake County that led to injuries of two women. The teens, aged 15 and 16, were charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The shooting incident took place near the 12900 block of West Wakefield Drive in Beach Park. The Sheriff's Office reported that the two women, aged 52 and 25, were inside a residence when they were shot. Both victims were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The younger woman was shot in the shoulder, while the older woman received a gunshot wound to the leg.
According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the two teenagers were spotted fleeing the scene in a dark-colored SUV after the shooting. The vehicle was later located in Waukegan. The teens were taken into custody following a brief foot chase.
The investigation reveals that the shooting was not a random incident, but the result of an ongoing dispute, the details of which have not been disclosed by the authorities. Both teenagers have been taken to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center in Vernon Hills.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation is ongoing and they are encouraging anyone with any additional information about the incident to come forward. The seriousness of the charges underlines the gravity of the situation, with aggravated battery involving a firearm considered a Class X felony, the most serious felony classification in Illinois.
In a statement, Sheriff John D. Idleburg emphasized the commitment of the Sheriff's Office to ensure the safety of the community and to hold those responsible for such violent acts accountable. He also expressed his relief that the injuries sustained by the victims were not life-threatening and wished them a speedy recovery.