Police assigned to oversee Scoop Waukegan 2026 responded to a shooting at the Scoop Waukegan 2026 even about 6:50 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, where one person was wounded and an unknown suspect was initially at large.
Additional police officers, firefighters and paramedics from Waukegan responded immediately to provide additional security and crowd control at the shooting scene, and the Scoop Waukegan festival.
The investigation and search for the offender began immediately.
Scoop Waukegan is an annual event in July that involves a car show with hot rods and classic cars, live music, and a food festival.
According to the police department, the Waukegan Police Department is actively investigating a shooting incident that occurred at Scoop Waukegan. A police statement indicated that due to the heavy law enforcement presence already stationed at the festival, the scene was contained immediately by on-site first responders who secured the area, provided medical attention to the shooting victim,
The Waukegan Police Department assured the public that the shooting was an isolated incident.
KEY INFO
Due to festival noise and loud music, the sound of gunfire was not initially recognized by the majority of people at the Scoop event.
A male victim, age and condition not disclosed, was shot near his hip and leg, and was transported by paramedics from the Waukegan Fire Department to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Initially the shooter was at large, and no description of the suspect was provided to the general public by the police department or by witnesses.
Apparently, it was difficult for people close to the shooting — as it happened — to recognize or identify the shooter due to the dense crowd.
The Waukegan Police Department Major Crime Scene Unit (MCSU) responded to the scene for an extended investigation.
The initial crime scene was on Genesee Street just south of Washington Street in downtown Waukegan, but was expanded to the entire block of Genesee Street from Washington Street to Water Street later Saturday night.
To safely and effectively process the scene, Scoop Waukegan 2026 was concluded early by order of the Waukegan Police Department. The Waukegan Police Department asked the public to stay away from the vicinity of Genesee Street and Water Street during the investigation.
MAYOR’S STATEMENT …
This weekend, thousands of families, friends, and neighbors gathered in Downtown Waukegan to celebrate one of the city’s greatest traditions, Scoop Waukegan. Marking a historic milestone, this year’s event was the largest in the city’s history, showcasing more than 1,500 participating cars.
I am disappointed that the community celebration was cut short by an isolated incident. My thoughts and prayers are with the individual who was injured and I wish them a full and speedy recovery. Let me be absolutely clear: this single, isolated act does not, and will not, define Scoop Waukegan. I refuse to allow the joy and spirit of thousands of peaceful families to be overshadowed or erased by the reckless actions of one individual. There is no excuse and no justification for bringing violence into a space where children were playing, families were bonding, friends were reconnecting, and neighbors were celebrating together. This behavior is entirely unacceptable and will never be tolerated in Waukegan.
While my heart is heavy that a community celebration had to end this way, I am filled with gratitude for the swift, decisive, and heroic actions of the Waukegan Police Department and the Waukegan Fire Department. Their immediate response, tactical containment of the scene, and professionalism undoubtedly prevented further harm and restored order to a chaotic situation.
Moving forward, I will not allow this year’s Scoop Waukegan to be overshadowed, nor will I allow the spirit of the community to be diminished. This weekend proved that the overwhelming majority of attendees at the event came together with the sole intention of celebrating a great tradition. I will not permit the reckless actions of a disruptive individual to speak for the thousands of individuals who made this event a triumph. We stand united, we stand strong, and the city’s traditions will continue to thrive.
— Sam Cunningham, Waukegan Mayor
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