Estiven Sarminento | Estiven Sarminento / Lake County Major Crime Task Force
Estiven Sarminento | Estiven Sarminento / Lake County Major Crime Task Force
A local activist spoke out on the police treatment of a teen shooting death of Highland Park high school student Omar Diaz of Highwood. In the immediate aftermath of Diaz’s Aug. 14 shooting death, Mark Weyermuller questioned the lack of information released by police.
The gunman was noted as “at large” in the wake of the shooting before being arrested later in the day.
“How do the Highland Park Police know this was a ‘targeted’ victim? Who told them he was a target? Where is [the] description of [the] shooter? Should residents be concerned for their safety today? Are they having a press conference? No details!” Weyermuller asked on Twitter.
"How do the Highland Park Police know this was a ‘targeted’ victim?"
Weyermuller’s comments came before the 16-year-old suspect, Estiven Sarminento, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with a shooting in Highland Park that killed another 16-year-old, Diaz. The shooting, which occurred on Green Bay Road, appears to have resulted from an ongoing dispute between the victim and the shooter, and Sarminento will be tried as an adult in the case, according to authorities, WGN reports.
“Heavy police presence near Chicago and Green Bay in Highland Park. Police say one person was shot and taken to the hospital. Police believe there was a conflict between the 2 people. They also say the suspect left on a bike, dressed in all black.@WGNNews,” WGN’s Andrea Medina said on Twitter.
Patch.com also noted the police’s inconsistent description of the alleged shooter. “The shooter was initially described as male who was “dressed in all black” and left the scene on a bicycle, but further investigation suggested he probably ran away instead, according to the spokesperson,” Jonah Meadows reported for Patch.
Highland Park High School Principal Deborah Finn identified the shooting victim, Diaz, as one of the school’s students. Township High School District 113 Superintendent Bruce Law announced the early implementation of a metal detection system and increased police presence on campus as a precaution following the incident.
The City of Highland Park later posted an update to Facebook around 7 p.m. the day of the shooting. The shooting occurred after 11 a.m.
Alerts Sign-up