Police Have Suspects in Recent Shootings, But No Arrests

The suspects in two recent shootings remain at large while police gather enough information to bring charges, according to a spokesperson for the Evanston Police Department. 

Justin Murray, 19, , while , in what police believe may have been retaliation for Murray’s death. 

“We don’t have anybody in custody for either shooting,” Evanston Police Cmdr. Jason Parrott said on Monday. But, he added, the police department has identified “people that we’re interested in for both shootings.” 

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While their investigation continues, police are not releasing the name of the victim of the second shooting. In that incident, two offenders fired multiple shots at a 20-year-old Evanston man as he got out of a car at 1:50 a.m. Saturday morning in the 1900 block of Howard Street, just hours before Justin Murray’s funeral, police said. The man was still listed in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital on Monday, according to Parrott. 

Asked why police believe the second shooting could be related to Murray’s death, Parrott said officers drew that conclusion based on information developed in their investigation of Murray’s shooting and based on information they gathered from the victim in the second shooting. Beyond that, he said he could not give further specifics while the case was still under investigation.

Asked whether the man who was shot on Saturday was a suspect in Murray’s death, Parrott said only that his name had come up in their investigation.  

Police believe one of the two people who were standing with Justin Murray when he was shot may have been the target, according to Parrott, although they don’t know for sure.

In the shooting that took place early Saturday, morning, however, he said police know that the victim was the intended target.

Because both incidents were not random acts of violence, Parrott said Evanston residents should not be unduly afraid.

“There should be no concern to the general public in terms of safety,” he said. “However, we are concerned any time there’s violence—that’s an issue we attempt to address.”

Parrott said that Evanston police have increased their patrol units in neighborhoods where they believe shootings are more likely to occur. He also called on the community to help report suspicious activity to the police.

“We want the public to be involved in trying to deter acts of violence and crime in general,” he said. “That can occur by people just calling police if they see a group gathering.”

Residents can reach the police department at 847-866-5000, or by calling 9-1-1 in emergencies.