Suspect in Round Lake Beach stray-bullet killing charged with murder

The man arrested in the stray-bullet shooting death of a 15-year-old Round Lake Beach girl is now facing charges of felony murder, according to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

Prosecutors upgraded the charges Monday against Shorbonia Poole Jr., 19, of 1400 block of Kildeer Drive, Round Lake Beach. Poole had been arrested on July 26 on weapon charges in the death of Valeria Rodriguez, 15, who was struck by a stray bullet inside her home on July 24.

On Monday, prosecutors approved the felony murder charge against Poole, along with a count of aggravated discharge of a firearm. He was expected in court later Monday on the new charges.

Police were called to Rodriguez’s home in the 1500 block of Cherokee at around 9:10 p.m. on July 24. According to authorities, a shot fired from outside the house struck the girl, who was brought to a hospital and pronounced dead.

After studying surveillance video, police obtained a search warrant that was served at the Kildeer Drive residence. They recovered a pistol that they said was consistent with the gun that fired the shot that killed Rodriguez.

Mapping software indicates that the victim and Poole lived on adjacent streets in Round Lake Beach.

“The Round Lake Beach Police Department would like to thank the men and women of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force for their dedication and countless hours investigating this tragic incident,” Police Chief Wayne Wilde and Mayor Scott Nickles said in a joint statement Monday.

“Also, we appreciate the coordination with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office throughout the course of the investigation,” they said. “Our condolences to the family of Valeria Rodriguez for their loss.”

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said, “Our office continues to express our deep condolences and sympathies to the family of Valeria Rodriguez over their unimaginable loss. Our victim specialists have been working closely with the family since this crime occurred.

“The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the Round Lake Beach Police Department, our Violent Crimes Unit, and our cyber forensic team have been working around the clock and have done an incredible job to secure justice for this senseless shooting,” he said.

Originally Published: August 5, 2024 at 2:04 p.m.