First Degree Murder Charge Filed Against 16 Year Old

A Des Plaines teen will be tried as an adult as he faces a charge of first-degree murder for what police believe was a gang-related shooting, Journal & Topics Newspapers reported.

The accused has been in custody since the shooting, the paper reported. Eliseo Mercado, 26, of Des Plaines, was shot and killed in a parking lot at 2019 Pine St. at 10:30 p.m. on July 22.

For the story, visit Journal & Topics Newspapers’ website.

In , investigators from the Des Plaines Police Department and Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) determined that Mercado and two other gang members drove to the complex and began arguing with three rival gang members. One of the rival members, identified as the 16-year-old accused, pulled out a handgun and shot Mercado in the chest. Police said the gunman also fired at one of Mercado's companions, but missed. 

took place at Maine Township headquarters in Park Ridge on Oct. 19. One resident told police she was concerned about two strange cars circling her block recently. 

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