Felony charges have been filed in connection with several shootings in Evanston over two days including two men who shot each other as part of an “ongoing dispute,” police said.
“We are happy about making arrests this early,” said Evanston Police Commander Ryan Glew. “It was good police work. Cooperation within the community and city officials has really facilitated the investigation.”
The Aug. 5 and 6 shootings prompted police to issue a community alert on Wednesday, Aug. 7 in which they said they did not believe there was a continued threat to the community but also said the shootings were extremely concerning and advised residents to be vigilant.
“They were not random attacks with random victims,” said the alert. “While there is no indication of a continued threat, the Evanston Police Department advises the community to remain vigilant.”
On Friday, police said Jerell Williams, 33, of the 1800 block of Lake Street, Evanston, is charged with attempt first degree murder in the shooting of a 34-year-old man in the area of Dempster Street and Darrow Avenue at around 3 p.m. on Aug. 6.
They said police responded to a call of a male who had been shot and upon arrival officers located the victim, an Evanston resident who had sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.
The investigation led to the identification of Williams as the offender, said police. He was arrested in the 100 block of Dodge Avenue and transported to the Evanston police station for further investigation. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigation, which included video of the shooting itself, and approved a felony charge of attempt first degree murder, said police.
Police also said that Sean Gayle, 41, of the 1700 block of Dempster Street, Evanston, is charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon by felon in connection with a shooting in the north suburb on Aug. 5. They said that at 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a call that two people had been shot in the 1700 block of Dempster Street. Upon arrival officers located two males who had sustained gunshot wounds, one 41 and the other 50. Both are Evanston residents and were transported to area hospitals in stable condition, said police. They said their investigation led to charges against Gayle and that he was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a Ruger LCP 380, when the shooting occurred. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigation and approved a felony charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Police said that Gayle and the second male shot each other as part of an “ongoing dispute.” They did not say if the second man is facing charges in that incident.
On Aug. 6, at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the 1700 block of Dodge Avenue for a report of a male who had been shot, said police. They said that when officers arrived they found a 50-year-old male shot in the hand. The victim was transported to hospital in stable condition. An investigation into that shooting indicates that the individual accidentally shot himself in the hand at an unknown location and went to a residence on Dodge Avenue “seeking aid,” said police.
Detectives are still investigating all three incidents. Anyone with information, evidence, or video related to the crimes is asked to call 847-866-5040 or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) and to start the text with the message with EPDTIP.
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
