Arrest Made In Shooting Near School: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — Following a shooting last week that locked down a school nearby, police have made an arrest. Dakane L. Masters, 28, of the 9000 block of N. Lamon Avenue, Skokie, was arrested and charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, armed habitual criminal and unlawful use of/possession of weapons by a felon.

The Cook County States' Attorney's Office approved the charges. Masters remains in the Cook County Jail, due back in court on Jan. 3, 2025.

Police responded to the 1500 block of Walnut Avenue at around 11:15 a.m. Dec. 9, for a call regarding shots fired in the area. An initial investigation revealed no one had been injured, with police believing it to be an isolated incident.

Central School was secured for a time by Community Consolidated School District 62 "out of an abundance of caution." The school is located at 1526 Thacker St., near where the shooting occurred.

RELATED:Nearby Shooting Locks School Down In Des Plaines — Police

Investigators were able to determine that on Dec. 9, Masters reportedly traveled to the 1500 block of Oakwood Avenue, where he parked his car in the alleyway between Oakwood Avenue and Walnut Street. Masters exited the vehicle and entered a fenced-in yard on Oakwood Avenue, and fired four rounds from a firearm toward another residence in the 1500 Block of Oakwood Avenue, striking the residence.

Masters' vehicle was identified on several surveillance cameras, as well as flock cameras, prior to, during, and leaving the scene immediately after the shooting took place.

According to police, Masters was on electronic monitoring from a previous arrest. Police were able to gather Masters' location at the time of the shooting as it pinged in the yard in the 1500 block of Oakwood Avenue, directly across from the residence that was shot.

Investigators went to Masters'residence and waited in the area for him to return. At around 4:10 p.m. the same day, Masters arrived at his residence and was taken into custody. Masters subsequently admitted to being in Des Plaines with his vehicle, but not to committing the shooting.

A subsequent search warrant was executed on Masters' vehicle, and a stolen 9mm pistol was found under the front passenger seat. Clothing consistent with what Masters was seen wearing was located in the trunk. Additionally, in the spare tire compartment of the vehicle, blue-colored, latex-style, gloves were found, which were also consistent with what he was seen wearing in surveillance footage.

Masters had prior convictions for weapon offenses, classifying him as an armed habitual criminal.