Justin Thomas : “4 Suspects Charged in Waukegan Shootout”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Waukegan shootout charges
2. Downtown Waukegan suspects arrested

Charges have been announced after four suspects exchanged gunfire — over 50 rounds — in a crowded area in downtown Waukegan, leaving the College of Lake County struck by shots.

The Waukegan Police Department was on the scene for an unrelated call when they heard several gunshots in downtown Waukegan around 9:30 p.m. on April 14.

911 callers also reported gunshots near 30 North Genesee Street, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon.

Officers arrived and saw multiple vehicles fleeing from the area. They collected over 50 rifle and handgun shell casings.

Cannon said two windows of the glass bridge connecting the College of Lake County buildings at Genesee Street and Madison Street were struck by gunfire, resulting in approximately $30,000 in damage.

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Detectives recovered surveillance video of a Dodge Durango parking near the parking garage. A Jeep passed by the Dodge and parked in front of the courthouse.

Two gunmen, one armed with a rifle and another with a handgun, exited the Jeep, Cannon said.

The gunmen opened fire from the intersection of County Street and Madison Street on the occupants of the Dodge.

Cannon said two people from the Dodge, who were in the intersection of Madison Street and Genesee Street, returned fire with handguns, leading to a shootout.

Detectives identified both suspects from the Dodge. One of the two nearly accidentally shot the other during the shootout, Cannon said.

The subjects entered back into their vehicles and fled the area.

Detectives reported there were lots of people in downtown Waukegan at the time of the shooting.

The Waukegan Police Department’s Community Crimes Division (CCD), which investigates violent crimes, handled the investigation.

Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Scott Chastain said the investigation led CCD detectives to a residence at the Barwell Manor Apartments in the 500 block of South Genesee Street.

Detectives stopped a person of interest at the apartment complex, identified as Diamond Loggins, 27, of Waukegan.

Loggins had a loaded handgun in her possession, Chastain said. A search warrant was later executed on her apartment and eight firearms were recovered.

Five assault rifles, one of which was fully automatic, and three handguns, one of which was also converted to fully automatic, were recovered from the apartment.

The Waukegan Police Department arrested Loggins along with three others in connection with the shooting — Justin Thomas, 32, of Waukegan; Saladine McKinney, 32, of Waukegan; and Jayvion Scott, 25, of Waukegan.

Thomas was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm within 1000 feet of a school, felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, criminal damage to property and reckless discharge of a firearm.

McKinney was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm within 1000 feet of a school, armed habitual criminal, felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Scott was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm within 1000 feet of a school.

Loggins was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. All of the suspects except Loggins were ordered detained in the Lake County Jail pending trial.

The Scene of the Downtown Waukegan Shootout

On a bustling evening in downtown Waukegan, chaos erupted as four suspects engaged in a violent shootout, firing over 50 rounds of ammunition. The incident took place near the intersection of Genesee Street and Madison Street, a popular area frequented by locals and visitors alike. The College of Lake County, a prominent educational institution in the heart of Waukegan, bore the brunt of the gunfire, with two windows of the glass bridge connecting its buildings being struck by bullets.

Law Enforcement Response

The Waukegan Police Department was quick to respond to the scene after hearing the gunshots while on an unrelated call. Multiple 911 calls reported the gunfire, prompting officers to swiftly arrive at 30 North Genesee Street. The sight of several vehicles fleeing the area indicated the severity of the situation, leading to the collection of over 50 rifle and handgun shell casings as evidence.

Surveillance Footage and Investigation

Detectives were able to recover surveillance video showing a Dodge Durango parking near a parking garage, followed by a Jeep pulling up in front of the courthouse. Two gunmen emerged from the Jeep, armed with a rifle and a handgun, and opened fire on the occupants of the Dodge at the intersection of County Street and Madison Street. The ensuing shootout involved individuals from both vehicles returning fire, escalating the violence in the downtown area.

Arrests and Charges

Following a thorough investigation by the Waukegan Police Department’s Community Crimes Division (CCD), four individuals were arrested in connection with the shootout. Diamond Loggins, Justin Thomas, Saladine McKinney, and Jayvion Scott, all residents of Waukegan, faced a range of charges related to the incident. Loggins was found with a loaded handgun and eight firearms were recovered from her apartment, including assault rifles and handguns converted to fully automatic.

Thomas faced charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and other weapons-related offenses. McKinney was charged with similar offenses, including being an armed habitual criminal. Scott was also charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm. The suspects were ordered detained in the Lake County Jail pending trial, as the authorities worked to ensure the safety of the community in the aftermath of the violent shootout.

Conclusion

The shootout in downtown Waukegan served as a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the importance of swift law enforcement action in maintaining public safety. The collaborative efforts of the Waukegan Police Department and CCD led to the apprehension of the suspects involved, preventing further harm to innocent bystanders in the area. As the legal proceedings unfolded, the community remained vigilant against such acts of violence, working towards a safer and more secure environment for all residents of Waukegan.