Questions Arise Over Police Handling Of Drive-By Shooting

Grayslake IL

24 February, 2021

4:52 PM

Description

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — Some residents in Round Lake Beach are pressing police for answers after a video surfaced on social media showing a drive-by shooting early Sunday. In the video shared on Facebook, which came from a security camera outside a home and was posted by the homeowner, a police patrol car can be seen closely following behind a vehicle that slows in front of the residence. At the time, at least one person was walking in a driveway not far from the road. The sound of gunfire erupts, apparently coming from the dark-colored car or sports utility vehicle. The video of the shooting shows the man, who'd been in the driveway, dropping to the ground in front of a parked vehicle. He can be seen sitting up a short time later as several men rush out. The squad car continues to follow the vehicle but does not turn on its squad lights. The officer also did not stop at the residence where the shooting occurred. In the statement, the Round Lake Beach Police Department commended the officer who "remained calm during a high stress, dangerous and rapidly evolving incident" and explained the officer's actions: The Officer's view was fixated on this suspicious vehicle as it passed him, when gunfire erupted in the immediate area. The Officer at the time suspected that the gunfire likely came from this suspicious vehicle or a residence in the area. The Officer didn't observe any injured parties at the residence on video and focused his efforts on locating the suspicious vehicle fleeing the area. The Officer requested additional police units and successfully located the suspicious vehicle and its occupants, and determined they did not carry out the shooting. Police say the officer was patrolling the area after a shooting occurred earlier and recognized the vehicle as being associated with a person who has been involved in other "firearm-related incidents." The video, which is about five minutes long, does not show any officers or paramedics responding. Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and are following up on leads, authorities said Tuesday.