On July 24, 2024, 15-year-old Valeria Rodriguez of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, was fatally shot by a stray bullet while she was inside her home in the 1500 block of Cherokee Drive. The incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. when a person fired a gun outside near her residence, and the bullet entered her home, striking her as she was sitting down to eat dinner.
Valeria was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound to the torso, as confirmed by Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The investigation, led by the Round Lake Beach Police Department and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, involved reviewing video surveillance from several cameras in the area. This led to the identification of Shorbonia Poole Jr., a 19-year-old man from the 1400 block of Kildeer Drive in Round Lake Beach, as a suspect. Poole was placed in the area using data from his electronic monitoring bracelet, which he had been wearing due to a previous criminal case.
On July 26, 2024, investigators conducted a search warrant at Poole's home and found a semi-automatic pistol hidden in a pile of brush in the backyard. Preliminary analysis of the pistol showed it was consistent with discharging the shell casing found outside Valeria's home.
Poole was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony. However, on August 5, 2024, additional charges were filed against him, including aggravated discharge of a firearm and felony murder predicated on aggravated discharge of a firearm, following the receipt of additional forensic information from the crime lab.
It has been stated that Valeria was not the intended target of the shooting, and there is no evidence to suggest that her house or any other individuals were targeted. The shooting is believed to have been random.
Poole, who is a convicted felon from a previous armed robbery case, has been detained in the Lake County Jail pending his next court appearance. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to express deep condolences to Valeria's family and has activated their Victim Support Specialist Team to support the family.
Valeria Rodriguez was a student at Round Lake High School and was remembered for her infectious smile, friendly demeanor, and vibrant personality. A GoFundMe established in her memory has raised over $16,000.
