Gun-Wielding Suspects Attack Guest at Wedding in Zion: Police

Photo caption (from left to right): Oscar A. Cervantes, James H. Bakken and Matthew Bowen

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Three have been arrested after police said they attacked a 23-year-old victim at a wedding over the holiday weekend.

The men, who are from Beach Park and Waukegan, face charges of mob action and aggravated assault, following a confrontation during a wedding at about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday in the 1 to 100 block of Lakefront Drive in Zion, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office press release.

During the confrontation, Oscar A. Cervantes, 28, of the 100 block of North St James St. in Waukegan, is accused of pointing a handgun at the 23-year-old victim. A short time later, James H. Bakken, 33, of the 11300 block West Carnahan Ave. in Beach Park, produced a handgun and struck the victim in the face with it, according to the news release.

The investigation also revealed Matthew Bowen, 25, of the 11200 block of West Leland Ave. in Beach Park, was an aggressor in the confrontation. Bowen and the victim were guests at the wedding but Cervantes and Bakken were not, Christopher Covelli, a detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, told Patch.

The three suspects were taken into custody as they “attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle,” according to the news release. Deputies located two .380 handguns in the vehicle and both were loaded, police said.

All three were taken to the Lake County Jail and were expected in court Tuesday morning. They face the following charges:

• Bakken was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Unlawful Use of Weapon by a Felon, and Mob Action
• Bowen was charged with Mob Action, Assault, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis, and Disorderly Conduct
• Cervantes was charged with Mob Action and Aggravated Assault.

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