Four Juveniles in Custody, Two Guns Recovered After Waukegan Homicide Sparks Hour-Long Police Chase

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Four juvenile suspects are in custody and two firearms have been recovered following the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old Waukegan man that triggered an hour-long police pursuit through several Lake County communities Monday evening.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Koron Gibson, 29, of Waukegan. An autopsy performed Tuesday determined Gibson died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Waukegan police responded around 6:57 p.m. Monday to the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue following reports of shots fired. Officers arriving at the scene discovered multiple shell casings believed to have been fired from different weapons.

Gibson had already been taken from the scene by friends or family members who were attempting to drive him to Vista Medical Center East. He was dropped off at the hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators received information that a white Nissan Murano had fled the area following the shooting. Officers later located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly refused to stop.

The pursuit began shortly before 7:30 p.m. near Jackson Street and Grand Avenue in Waukegan.

What followed was an approximately hour-long chase through Waukegan, North Chicago, Park City and Gurnee, involving multiple law-enforcement agencies. Several suspects reportedly jumped from the Nissan at different locations during the pursuit.

Police deployed spike strips multiple times in an effort to stop the vehicle. Authorities briefly considered terminating the pursuit as speeds increased and concerns about public safety grew.

A Chicago Police Department helicopter was also overhead during the chase.

Illinois State Police ultimately brought the pursuit to an end around 8:25 p.m. near 12th Street and Elizabeth Avenue. Four juvenile suspects were apprehended from the Nissan.

Investigators subsequently recovered evidence at multiple locations in Waukegan connected to the investigation, including two firearms, according to Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Craig Neal.

The Waukegan Police Department thanked the numerous agencies that assisted during the pursuit, including Illinois State Police, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and North Chicago police.

Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident and have said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Waukegan Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the homicide and is working with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine potential charges.

Because the four suspects are juveniles, information about their identities and potential court proceedings may be limited.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Pulse Radio 96.1 — The Beat of Lake County