2 Teens Charged With Murder In Evanston Homicide

EVANSTON, IL — Two teens are accused of murdering a man during a drug-related robbery in Evanston earlier this month. Yazek Semark, 20, was fatally shot near the corner of Hovland Court and Emerson Street on the night of Feb. 8 shortly before 11:40 p.m. An investigation by Evanston detectives and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force identified two people who allegedly arranged a meet with Semark to buy "a quantity" of marijuana, according to police.

Julius Francellno, 18, of the 2000 block of Emerson Street in Evanston, and Malik Caswell, 18, of the 6700 block of North Sheridan Road in Chicago, have both been charged with first degree murder, police said.

Caswell set up the drug deal with Semark knowing that they were not going to pay for the cannabis, investigators believe. He also knew that his companion, Francellno, had a gun.

When Semark tried to stop Francellno from taking the cannabis without paying, Francellno drew a gun and fatally shot Semark in the chest, police said.

Both teens fled the scene on foot, according to police.

Semark, a 2015 graduate of Evanston Township High School who worked at the Old Orchard Shake Shack, was taken to Evanston hospital and pronounced dead at 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 9.

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Police said Francellno was taken into custody Thursday at his home. Caswell was arrested Saturday at the Skokie Police Department.

Both men were ordered held without bail Monday. Their next court appearance was set for Feb. 23.

A fundraising effort to support the family and establish a fund in Semark's name to help Evanston youth "on their individual roads to independence," had raised more than $30,000 Sunday.

The murder was Evanston's first homicide of 2018, according to police.

UPDATE: Deadly Robbery: 2 Men Sentenced After Pleading Guilty In Slaying