Fifth suspect released in Skokie shooting

Paige Leskin, City Editor

Skokie police released Tuesday a teenager who they believe to be the gunman who shot two Skokie high school students on Sept. 28.

The 17-year-old was arrested Monday morning in connection with the shooting death of Maxwell Gadau, 17, and the shooting of a 17-year-old girl who has not been identified, police said.

Police released the boy from custody Tuesday morning because of rights under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act.

Police believe all suspects in the case have been identified and are not currently looking for any other people in connection with the shooting, authorities said. The investigation remains active as police review evidence and gather information.

The teenager was the fifth person arrested by Skokie police in connection with the shooting. Four men, all 19, were arrested Sunday and charged with the first degree murder of Gadau and the attempted murder and armed robbery of the girl.

All are currently being held with the Cook County Department of Corrections after they were denied bond at appearances before Cook County bond judges Sunday and Monday, police said.

Officers believe that the two students were shot when an arranged drug deal turned violent, police said.

Skokie police found Gadau, whose parents are from Evanston, and the girl after authorities responded to a report of shots fired Sept. 28 just after 9:40 p.m. The two were found in a car in the 9200 block of Kedvale Avenue.

Both were transported to Evanston Hospital, where Gadau was pronounced dead and the girl remains hospitalized, police said.

Gadau died of a gunshot wound in the back and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A memorial service for Gadau was held Sunday afternoon at Evanston’s First Presbyterian Church, 1427 Chicago Ave.

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