Evanston Police Arrest Suspected Mason Park Gunman

EVANSTON, IL — Police arrested a 20-year-old Evanston man in connection with a shooting at a local park that happened last week, authorities announced.

Evanston police said they responded to a shooting at Mason Park on April 23 at 12:15 p.m., which is located just a block from the high school campus. Evanston Township High School officials said police notified them about the incident at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Other Evanston/Skokie School District 65 schools were also notified about the incident, as well as a nearby private preschool.

Related: Shooting At Evanston Park Puts Nearby Schools On Lockdown

Investigators reviewed available video footage of the area, and they determined that two small groups of people exchanged gunfire in the park before fleeing on foot.

Multiple bullet shell casings were found at the park, police said.

On April 24, detectives identified Zacar Lee as a person of interest, and police took him into custody after a traffic stop in Chicago. Chicago police recovered a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun from the vehicle Lee was driving.

The vehicle was towed to the Evanston Police Department for evidence processing.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office reviewed the case and approved charges against Lee of felony attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

No additional arrests have been made in the Evanston case.