Evanston Shootings Lead to Charges in Two of Three Separate Incidents Occurring Within 24 Hours

Police charge suspects in connection to two shootings in Evanston; one remains under investigation

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EVANSTON — Authorities have charged two men in connection with separate shootings that occurred less than 24 hours in Evanston, resulting in three people being injured.

The first incident occurred on Monday at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Dempster Street. Police responded to the scene to find two men, aged 41 and 50, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to the hospital, where their conditions were stabilized.

Initial investigations revealed that the two men had fired at each other during an ongoing dispute. Sean Gayle, 41, was subsequently charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. Gayle is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday in Skokie.

The second shooting transpired the following day, around 3 p.m., just a block away near the intersection of Dempster Street and Darrow Avenue. Police received an emergency call after a man was shot while standing on the corner.

Officers arrived at the scene and discovered a 34-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. He was promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

According to police, the shooting was captured on a cell phone video. On Wednesday, Jerell Williams, 33, was arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. The victim, who had just parked his fiancée’s car on Darrow Avenue, reportedly saw Williams approaching from a local snack shop carrying a bag of food. According to the police report, Williams dropped the food, made a threatening remark, and then opened fire. The victim managed to record the incident on his cell phone.

Williams was taken into custody hours later after police reviewed the video evidence. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday in Skokie.

Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation into a third shooting, which occurred less than an hour after the second. Officers responded to a call around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the 1700 block of Dodge Avenue, where a 50-year-old man had been shot in the hand. Preliminary findings suggest the victim accidentally shot himself and sought help at a nearby residence. This incident remains under investigation.