Gun-Running Gang Member Fired At ATF Agents During Waukegan Raid: Cops

WAUKEGAN, IL — A man who shot at federal agents executing a search warrant at his Waukegan home faces attempted murder and gun charges, authorities said.

Alvaro Grijalva, of the 800 block of Cummings Avenue, was ordered to remain at Lake County Jail unless he can come up with the $1 million cash portion of his bond, authorities said.

Grijalva, 29, trafficked illegal guns to undercover agents during a long-term investigation conducted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, according to the sheriff's office.

Last month, a Lake County judge approved a warrant for Grijalva's arrest on charges of gunrunning and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as a search warrant for his Waukegan home.

Detectives from the sheriff's office's special investigations group, or SIG, and members of the ATF executed the warrant at Grijalva's house early on the morning of June 27, according to sheriff's office spokesperson Chris Covelli.

"When members of ATF and SIG approached Grijalva’s residence and announced they were the police and had a search warrant, Grijalva shot at them," Covelli said in a statement. "Grijalva shot two times, out of a back door, nearly striking two ATF agents."

The ATF's special response team entered the home and took Grijalva into custody, no officers were injured in the incident, Covelli said.

“I am incredibly grateful our law enforcement officers were not shot or injured during this operation," said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. "This incident underscores the dangers and risks our law enforcement officers face every day while keeping the community safe.

Grijalva, a documented member of a street gang, has several previous felony convictions in Lake County, including firearm and narcotics cases dating back nearly a decade, according to the sheriff's office and court records.

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Christopher Amon, the chief of the ATF's Chicago field office, said in a statement that the incident shows the danger agents face while investigating violent criminals.

“I commend the Lake County Sheriff and his team at SIG for their partnership while investigating this case with ATF in order to hold violent offenders accountable," Amon said.

Authorities said the .40 caliber gun Grijalva is alleged to have shot at cops was found in the house, and gunshot residue was later detected on his hands.

Prosecutors approved five counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm — both of which are non-probationable, class X felony offenses — and one class 2 count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

"We filed the highest charges possible because this offender needs to be isolated from the community for as long as possible in light of this violent attack," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement.

At his initial court appearance Wednesday, Grijalva was ordered to remain jailed ahead of trial unless he posts the $1 million cash portion of his bond.

Prosecutors from Rinehart's office did not petition the judge to order Grijalva held without bail.