Teen Dies After Romeoville Shooting

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A day after he was shot in the head in what a GoFundMe campaign claims was "an accident that could have been avoided," 18-year-old Carlos Gasca was pronounced dead at AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook, according to the Will County Coroner's office. Romeoville police said Gasca was shot in an "isolated incident" near Weber and Airport roads on Thursday afternoon.

Though police said Gasca was a Crest Hill resident, the Will County corner's office said he lived in Lockport.

The coroner's office announced Gasca's death on Monday, saying the teen was pronounced dead at 2:49 p.m. Friday. An autopsy was scheduled for later in the day Monday, authorities said.

Gasca's death is being investigated by the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. On Friday, Romeoville police said two Romeoville men were arrested in connection with Gasca's shooting.

Eric Alhourani, 19, of the 300 block of Richfield Trail, was initially jailed on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing justice.

According to Will County court records, Alhourani now faces multiple felonies, including five counts of armed violence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis, possession of LSD, manufacturing ecstasy, manufacture/delivery of cannabis, four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Alhourani remains jailed on $1.25 million bond, meaning he would need to post $125,000 to be released, according to jail records. He is due in court Feb. 7. His criminal record in Will County includes charges of retail theft, speeding and driving without a license.

Marco Mesina, 20, of the 1900 block of Wheatfield Drive, was originally jailed on charges of possession of a controlled substance and obstructing justice.

Mesina, whose only previous appearance in Will County court records is a 2015 stop sign violation, now faces six counts of armed violence, possession of LSD, manufacturing ecstasy, possession of a controlled substance, manufacture/delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis and four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a FOID card.

Mesina also remains jailed, according to Will County records, with his bond set at $1 million. He is also due in court Feb. 7.

A GoFundMe page created Sunday for Gasca's family calls his death a "tragic accident." According to a Facebook page that apparently belonged to Gasca, the teen attended Plainfield East High School.

As of Monday, more than $4,000 had been donated towards a $20,000 goal, to be used for funeral expenses, according to the page, which says:

We want the world to know that we are not losing his precious life because of a violent act caused by hatred or anyone wanting to do harm to him. This was an accident that could have been avoided and we want to urge the world to remember guns are dangerous and can change lives in the blink of an eye.Now, we are left with broken hearts as we prepare to say goodbye to this sweet son, big brother, an amazing teenager whose life was cut way too short. We will remember Carlos for his kindness, his sweet and quiet personality, and his warm and gentle smile. He leaves behind beautiful memories and we were blessed to have had him in our lives.

Initially, Crest Hill police investigated the shooting, which was originally reported to have occurred near Weber Road and Ryan Drive. Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark said someone drove Gasca to a nearby fire station after the shooting. Further investigation revealed the incident actually occurred in Romeoville, police said.

Romeoville police did not immediately respond to a message from Patch Sunday seeking additional information on Gasca's death.

Photo of Carlos Gasca via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner