Gunman Sentenced to 9 Years After Waukegan Apartment Shootout
Two men were charged in a Waukegan double shooting that left one woman and one man injured, highlighting rising crime rates in the area.
Gunman Sentenced to 9 Years After Waukegan Apartment Shootout
In a troubling incident that illustrates the rising tide of violence in Waukegan, Illinois, two local men have been charged in connection with a double shooting that occurred near Lakeside Tower Apartments. On March 30, 2024, around 9:50 p.m., Nazir Plaines, 20, and Clarence J. Murdock, 23, were embroiled in a gunfight that left two individuals seriously injured. A 22-year-old woman sustained gunshot wounds to her stomach and right arm, while an 18-year-old man was wounded in the leg. Both victims were quickly transported to a local hospital, where they received critical care. The woman has since stabilized after surgery, while the man was reported as being in stable condition, according to Lake County Scanner.
Surveillance video captured the chaotic moment, depicting an alarming exchange of gunfire that not only hurt those directly involved but also damaged property in the vicinity. Gunfire struck a pickup truck as well as the front lobby of the apartment building, shattering glass windows and necessitating the quick setup of crime scene tape around the location. Following the incident, authorities issued warrants for both suspects on April 11, 2024.
Escalating Crime Rates
The violent episode represents a broader trend in Waukegan, where the crime rate has been on a worrying rise. Recent data from NeighborhoodScout reveals that Waukegan’s crime rate is higher than the national average, with about 15 crimes for every 1,000 residents. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime here stands at 1 in 275, translating to a rate of 4 per 1,000 residents. Alarmingly, Waukegan records one of the higher murder rates in the nation, particularly in comparison to cities of similar size.
Interestingly, while Waukegan has a higher violent crime rate, it experiences a lower rate of property crime compared to other cities in Illinois. The current property crime rate is 11 per 1,000 residents, with a 1 in 91 chance of becoming a victim. However, it’s worth mentioning that Waukegan also carries a notorious reputation for motor vehicle theft, boasting one of the highest rates in the country; the odds of an individual having their car stolen here is 1 in 221.
A Deepening Crisis
Going deeper, data from City-Data indicates that the crime rate climbed by a staggering 1050% in Waukegan from 2022, with 14 homicides recorded in 2023—a sharp increase from just one the previous year. Violent crime, identified at a rate of 243.7 per 100,000 residents, significantly surpasses the national average of 203.4.
As the legal battles unfold for suspects like Plaines and Murdock—who remains in custody as his case proceeds—Waukegan residents are left to grapple with the implications of such violence. Murdock, already on parole for aggravated robbery with a firearm, continues to face multiple charges related to this latest incident. Plaines has accepted a plea deal, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence for aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm, with credit for 432 days served. His legal troubles, however, are not isolated but part of a growing concern about youth and gun violence in the community.
Authorities are well aware of the challenges they face, as data shows Waukegan has only 194 full-time law enforcement employees, with a police-to-resident ratio of 1.81 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the Illinois average of 2.81. As crime rates continue to rise, community leaders and law enforcement must work together to develop effective strategies to address these complex issues before they escalate further.