18-Year-Old Charged With Obstructing Justice In Fort Sheridan Death

WAUKEGAN, IL — Authorities said a second Highland Park man involved in a fatal fight Saturday near Fort Sheridan Beach faces felony charges.

Jacob Firestone, 18, of the 1300 block of Saint Johns Avenue, was taken into custody by investigators Tuesday following his release from an are hospital, according to a Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesperson.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved two counts of obstruction of justice after investigators determined that Firestone had tried to conceal evidence — a cellphone and a wheelbarrow — following a deadly confrontation on the beach with another Highland Park resident, authorities said.

Investigators believe Firestone and Caban were together on the lakefront shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday when Matthew Ascaridis, a 45-year-old father of two, came out of his nearby home to complain about the noise they were making.

The dispute turned violent, leaving Ascaridis dead, according to the spokesperson.

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Ascaridis' body was found near the shoreline by someone walking along the beach shortly after 5 a.m., according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the wheelbarrow had been moved from the scene of the confrontation, and a backpack containing Firestone's cellphone and identification were found inside a nearby garbage bin, according to spokesperson for the Lake County State's Attorney Office.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m., Caban called 911 to report the fight, and he and Firestone were both taken to area hospitals. According to Caban's attorney, they had both been "pummeled."

Later that day, investigators got a search warrant and found a Glock pistol with a defaced serial number in Caban's bedroom, leading prosecutors to charge him with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number, a class 3 felony.

An autopsy determined Ascaridis died as the result of "multiple injuries," according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

According to the website of his Glenview-based financial planning firm, Ascaridis was an avid snowboarder and movie enthusiast who coached multiple teams with the Winnetka Hockey Association.

Following an initial court appearance Wednesday, a judge ordered Firestone to remain at the Lake County Jail unless he can come up with the $7,500 cash portion of his bond on the obstruction charges, according to the sheriff's office. He is due back in court Oct. 12.

Obstruction of justice is a class 4 felony, with a conviction punishable by probation to up to three years in prison.

At the time of his arrest, Firestone was out on a recognizance bond on misdemeanor charges related to an accusation of underage drinking in July in Highland Park, records show.

Earlier: Man Involved In Fatal Fort Sheridan Beach Fight Faces Firearm Charge