The Palatine Police Department has charged a juvenile in connection with a homicide that occurred on March 16, 2026, in the area of North Rand Road and Evergreen Drive in Palatine.
The victim, Kevin K. Koonce, age 20, of Streamwood, Illinois, was shot by the juvenile. Palatine police officers responded about 9:39 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 to the block of 1200 East Prairie Brook Drive, where they located a male victim inside an Audi suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The vehicle had struck multiple parked vehicles and was stopped near a dumpster south of Rand Road. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, according to the Palatine Police Department.
Palatine police officers and detectives took a 15-year-old male juvenile from Palatine into custody without incident shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The juvenile was charged with one count of First Degree Murder following review and approval by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Following processing, the juvenile was transported to a Cook County juvenile detention center in Chicago. The juvenile is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Due to the age of the offender, no additional identifying information is being released at this time, according to the Palatine Police Department.
The Palatine Police Department recognized the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS), and its partner agencies for their assistance during this investigation.
Earlier Report …
On Monday, March 16, 2026, at approximately 9:39 PM, the Palatine Police Department responded to the 1200 block of E. Prairie Brook Drive for a report of a vehicle that had struck multiple parked vehicles and a garbage dumpster.
Upon arrival, officers located a black Audi four-door vehicle and a 20-year-old male seated in the driver’s seat suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The Palatine Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the male to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Palatine Police Department, in coordination with the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), is actively investigating this incident. At this time, there is no additional information available, and the investigation remains ongoing. There is no known ongoing threat to the public at this time.
North Rand Road is currently closed between Route 53 and Dundee Road and is expected to remain closed through the morning rush hour. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Palatine Police Department Investigations Bureau at 847.359.9000.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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