22-Year-Old Man Dies After Being Shot During Attempted Robbery In Walmart Parking Lot In Waukegan

By Sam Borcia, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner:

A 22-year-old man shot multiple times during a robbery attempt in the parking lot of the Walmart in Waukegan last month has died, the coroner’s office said.

Emanuel Perez, 22, of Waukegan, died at an area hospital on Tuesday from complications of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said that detectives believe the occupants of a white Dodge Durango and a black Nissan Altima agreed to meet at the Walmart Supercenter, 3900 Fountain Square Place, around 1:30 p.m. on February 19.

The people involved intended to exchange or trade guns, Florip said.

The Dodge was occupied by Desteny Rodriguez, who is in her 20s and resides in Round Lake Beach, along with Perez.

The Nissan was occupied by two males in their 20s.

The group of four met in the Walmart parking lot and at that point detectives believe that Rodriguez attempted to rob the two males in the Nissan, Florip said.

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During the incident, shots were fired and both vehicles fled the area. The Dodge, driven by Rodriguez, fled and crashed into other vehicles near Washington and Westwaukee Road.

Perez, who was in the Dodge, had been struck multiple times by the gunfire.

He was transported by the Waukegan Fire Department to an area hospital in serious condition where he died on Tuesday.

Rodriguez was immediately taken into custody at the crash scene by patrol officers.

Police investigate a shooting at a parking lot near the Walmart Supercenter, 3900 Fountain Square Place in Waukegan, that left two people injured on February 19, 2022. | Photo: Craig / Captured News

The Nissan had also fled the Walmart parking lot following the shooting and drove to an area hospital.

One of the two men in the Nissan was struck by gunfire and sustained a superficial wound.

That man was released from the hospital and taken to the Waukegan Police Department and later released from police custody.

“This investigation is open and active. More arrests are possible, however much follow up is needed,” Florip said on February 20.

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Detectives recovered two semi-automatic pistols and an assault-style weapon in the Dodge, Florip said.

Rodriguez has been charged with armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held at the Lake County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

The others involved in the incident are also believed to be from the Round Lake Beach area, police said.

Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court again on March 15.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.