Lake County, IL – An 18-year-old has been charged with murder after Lake County Sheriff’s detectives, aided by an explosive detection K9, located the firearm believed to have been used in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old in Ingleside.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, detectives identified the shooter as Yurem Mejia-Gomez, 18, of Round Lake Beach. The arrest follows an intensive investigation into a drive-by shooting that occurred the night of October 10, 2025, outside a home on North Wilson Road in Ingleside.
Detectives said Mejia-Gomez allegedly fired from a vehicle after an argument at a birthday party. The 19-year-old victim, found in a driveway with a gunshot wound to the upper body, was pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics.
Investigators later located Mejia-Gomez’s vehicle at a Round Lake Beach residence. With assistance from Sheriff’s Explosive Detection Canine Zack, deputies discovered a firearm in a parked car outside the home. Ammunition matching that used in the homicide was also recovered.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Mejia-Gomez appeared in court Saturday morning.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg praised detectives and K9 teams, saying their quick work “ensures those who harm others are held accountable as quickly as possible.”
The homicide remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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