Waukegan Man Charged In Evanston Fatal Shooting, Suspects Wanted

EVANSTON, IL — A 19-year-old Waukegan man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a Evanston man, who was killed Saturday night when he was shot multiple times after a break-in at his home, police said Tuesday.

Alejandro Lopez, of the 500 block of Belvedere Road in Waukegan, was charged with first-degree murder, home invasion and the discharge of a firearm along with aggravated unlawful use of a firearm, Evanston police said.

Police on Sunday identified the victim as Stanley A. Butler, III of the 1700 block of Dodge Avenue. Police said that Butler was shot at his home just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, when police said multiple people entered his home, shot him and then left, according to a news release.

Butler suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the shooting. Police do not believe the shooting was a random act.

Police said Tuesday that a Saturn Vue was seen leaving the scene of the shooting. Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle after observing a traffic violation but when officers tried to stop the Saturn, it sped off. Officers lost sight of the Saturn after a brief chase, police said.

A short time later, officers located the Saturn at the Skokie Swift Station. Officers were able to stop the vehicle and detain Lopez, who was alone in the car. Officers then saw two firearms and gloves in the passenger seat in plain sight.

Detectives were able to establish that Lopez was one of the offenders. After working cooperatively with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, detectives charged Lopez in connection with Butler's murder on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Waukegan Police announced that Lopez has also been charged in the fatal shooting of a Waukegan man, who was shot along with another man at a Waukegan residence. Police said that officers obtained a warrant for Lopez in connection with the Saturday afternoon shooting while he was in custody after being arrested in Skokie.

Police do not believe there is any connection between the Evanston and Waukegan fatal shootings.

Lopez is being held without bond after he appeared in court on Tuesday. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 28 in Skokie, police said.

The Evanston Police Detective Bureau and North Regional Major Crimes Task Force are continuing the investigation. Additional offenders at large. Lopez is the only offender in custody.

If anyone believes they may have information about this incident and or the remaining offenders, they are asked to contact the Evanston Police Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040 or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) and then start a message with EPDTIP.