No One In Custody Despite '50 to 70 Witnesses' To Shooting: Cops

WAUKEGAN, IL — An 18-year-old man from Gurnee was shot and killed in the Bowen Park parking lot early Sunday morning, according to police. Despite 50 to 70 possible witnesses in the parking lot at the time of the shooting, police said no one has come forward with information.

Police identified the victim, who they originally said was 19 years old, as 18-year-old Ladarrius M. Cowart. Preliminary autopsy results indicate Cowart died from a gunshot wound to his head.

Officials said they responded to a call of shots fired at the lot on the 1800 block of North Sheridan Road at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday. Cowart was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, 50 to 70 other people were crowded in the parking lot at the time of the shooting, but no one has admitted witnessing the crime. Authorities said they found "numerous" shell casings at the scene but don't know why so many people were in the park at the time.

"We know there are witnesses to this crime," Chief Wayne Walles told reporters. "For this violence to stop, members of the community must come forward."

As of Monday, no one was in custody.

Waukegan police are asking anyone with information about the homicide to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 847-360-9001.