The Lake County Coroner’s Office released the identity of a homicide victim in Ingleside as Alejandro Castaneda of Round Lake Beach. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, an autopsy was conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Autopsy results indicate that Mr. Castaneda died from a gunshot wound of the chest,.
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives identified and arrested the person allegedly responsible for shooting and killing a 19-year-old male in front of a residence in the 35700 block of North Wilson Road, Ingleside.
During the investigation of the homicide, Lake County Sheriff’s detectives identified the vehicle that was driven in a drive-by shooting that occurred in front of the residence. Detectives then developed information as to who was responsible for shooting from the vehicle. Detectives located the vehicle parked at the residence of Yurem Mejia-Gomez, 18, of the 300 block of Meadow Green Lane, Round Lake Beach. Mejia-Gomez was identified as the shooter.
Detectives learned of a possible residence in Round Lake Beach where the firearm may have been hidden following the shooting. That residence was searched, but no firearm was located. Lake County Sheriff’s Explosive Detection Canine Zack gave indications there was a firearm in a car parked in front of the home. The vehicle was searched and the firearm that was believed to have been used in the shooting was located, along with ammunition that matched the type of rounds shot during the incident.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the issuance of two search warrants during the investigation. After reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges for Mejia-Gomez:
Two Counts of First-Degree Murder
One Count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
Mejia-Gomez is due in court Sunday morning, October 12, 2025.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
“Our patrol deputies, detectives, and explosive detection canine team worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend the person responsible for this senseless act of violence. Their swift and thorough investigation demonstrates the dedication of our team to ensuring that those who harm others are held accountable as quickly as possible.”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Round Lake Beach Police Department for assisting with both personnel and translation services.
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives began investigating the homicide that occurred in Ingleside soon after 11:15 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2025, when Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the 35700 block of North Wilson Road, Ingleside. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they located a 19-year-old man, of Round Lake, in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies attempted life-saving efforts until paramedics arrived. Paramedics also attempted to save the man’s life, but the man was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
A preliminary investigation indicated the man was at the Ingleside residence attending a birthday party. A group arrived at the party and engaged in an argument with a group of partygoers. The argumentative group left, but it appears after getting to their vehicles, they drove by the Ingleside residence and began shooting, striking the 19-year-old that was in the driveway. The group then fled from the scene.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office also responded, and an autopsy was scheduled.
The homicide investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is continuing after the on-scene investigation, and after detectives identified the vehicle and suspect connected to the homicide.
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