Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Green Oaks man in connection with a recent shooting.
On June 29, 2023 sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 31000 block of Prairie Ridge Road, Green Oaks, for a damaged home. Sheriff’s deputies determined at that time the home had been struck by gunfire. Sheriff’s deputies spoke to several area neighbors and collected video surveillance from the neighborhood.
Sheriff’s detectives analyzed the video and determined Andrew W. Szech, 42, of the 31000 block of Prairie Ridge Road shot several times at a group of nearby people. Several members of the community told detectives they suspected Szech of being involved in suspicious activity, as they witnessed numerous vehicles coming to his home, interacting with Szech for a short period of time, then leaving the area.
Sheriff’s detectives spoke to Szech, who claimed he was robbed during the June 29th incident, although he never reported the robbery and there was a lack of evidence to support the claim. Szech also declined to mention he fired a firearm during the incident. Sheriff’s detectives did not arrest Szech at the time he was interviewed, as their investigation was still ongoing.
Sheriff’s detectives believe Szech fired at a group of three people he was interacting with, following a disagreement. On July 21, 2023, sheriff’s deputies and detectives observed Szech driving and conducted a traffic stop, as they knew his driver’s license is revoked. Szech was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division. The June 29th incident was reviewed with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office who approved the following charges:
Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)
Aggravated Driving With a Revoked Driver’s License (Class 4 Felony)
Sheriff’s detectives submitted a Clear and Present Danger form to the Illinois State Police regarding Szech’s firearm recklessness.
Szech remains held in the Lake County Jail on $300,000.00 bail. His next court date is on July 25, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.