Evanston police announce charges in 2 recent shootings

EVANSTON, Ill. - The Evanston Police Department announced charges in two of three shootings that took place within a 24-hour period in the northern suburb.

The first shooting happened at about 8:30 p.m. Monday in the 1700 block of Dempster Street. Officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered two Evanston men, ages 41 and 50, with gunshot wounds. They were transported to a nearby hospital and listed in stable condition.

After investigation, Evanston police said the 41-year-old, Sean Gayle, traded shots with the other man as part of an ongoing dispute.

Gayle used a Ruger LCP 300 handgun in the shooting, police said. He was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. He remains in police custody at the hospital.

The second shooting was reported at 3 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Dempster Street and Darrow Avenue. A 34-year-old Evanston man was found with a single gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital and is stable. The suspect fled the scene on foot.

Investigation led police to identify 33-year-old Jerell Williams as a suspect in the shooting. He was arrested Wednesday and charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder.

Jerell Williams | Evanston police

The third shooting happened just half an hour later Tuesday, in the 1700 block of Dodge Street. Officers found a 50-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his hand. He was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition. 

Detectives later learned the victim accidentally shot himself in the hand.