Suspect Identified, Charged in Shooting Death, Targeted Attack by Bicyclist in Highland Park

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday evening, August 14, 2023 that a shooting suspect for the Green Bay Road, Highland Park shooting has been identified and charged.

Following a thorough investigation, it was determined Estiven Sarminento, 16, of the 900 block of Deerfield Road, Highland Park, was the offender in this homicide. The victim, Omar Diaz, was an acquaintance of Sarminento. Based on investigative leads, it appears there was an ongoing dispute between Sarminento and Diaz.

Based on recovered evidence, interviews, and video surveillance, detectives were able to determine Sarminento shot and killed Diaz.

Sarminento was arrested by Task Force Investigators and Highland Park Detectives. After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the incident, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two counts of First Degree Murder. Sarminento is charged as an adult. He remains held in custody pending an initial court hearing tomorrow.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

— Lake County Sheriff’s Office

A teen is dead after being shot on Green Bay Road in Highland Park on Sunday, August 13, 2023 about 11:30 a.m. (VIDEO: Andrea Medina/WGN News). YouTube Tips ⓘ

The Lake County Coroner’s Office on Monday, Augusts 14, 2023 released the identity of a shooting victim on Green Bay Road on Sunday, August 13, 2023. The deceased teen was identified as 16-year-old Omar Diaz, of Highwood, Illinois. The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified of the death of a teen, and responded to the Highland Park Hospital. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary results of the autopsy indicate that the young male teen died from a gunshot wound, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Highland Park police officers, firefighters and paramedics responded about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 13, 2023 to a report of a person shot in the block of 2300 Green Bay Road on the north side of Highland Park near Highwood. Upon arrival police discovered an unresponsive 16 year-old shooting victim. Police determined the scene was secure, and paramedics moved up to administer Advanced Life Support. The 16-year-old male was transported to Highland Park hospital, where was pronounced deceased at the hospital, and identified as a Highwood resident. Initially his identity was not released.

A witness also stated that a Hispanic male, about 16 years-old was treated with CPR at the scene.

A witness described a Good Samaritan coming to the aid of the victim, using a towel to attempt to stop the bleeding. A neighbor described that another neighbor heard two shots. Another witness said there was one ‘pop’ at the shooting scene on Green Bay Road about two or three driveways south of Chicago Avenue in Highland Park.

Highland Park Police established a large perimeter around the scene in an attempt to locate the offender, according to Highland Park Police Department. Police from Lake Forest, Deerfield, and Riverwoods immediately responded to assist Highland Park in a search for the offender. A police K-9 tracked the offender’s scent, but the scent was lost at a nearby roadway, according to Highland Park Police Department.

Investigators also the searched area for security cameras that may have captured an image of the suspect. Single-family residences are located on the west side of Green Bay Road, and railroad tracks (Metra Union Pacific North Line) are located on the east side of Green Bay Road near Sunday’s crime scene. The Robert McClory Bike Path which traverses from Highland Park, through Highwood, and all the way to the Illinois-Wisconsin border at the Kenosha County Bike Trail at Russell Road and CR A1 in Wisconsin, is also located just east of the crime scene. The Robert McClory Bike Path is a little 25 miles in length.

Witnesses described the offender as a male, dressed in all black, who arrived on a bicycle. The Highland Park Police Department did not initially provide any further physical description of the shooting suspect.

Initially, it was believed the offender fled from the scene on a bicycle; however, further investigation revealed he likely fled on foot following the shooting, according to Highland Park Police Department. A witness said the shooter arrived in a bicycle, and left the bicycle at the scene. The bicycle was a dark colored bicycle with a silver front-wheel fork, and with regular handlebars with black handles and handbrakes. Evidence technicians worked to detect fingerprints on the handlebars at the scene.

Highland Park Police requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to assist with the investigation, which brought police officers from several neighboring communities. Preliminary details indicate the shooting was targeted and not random. It appears prior to the shooting, the victim was walking on the sidewalk and approached by the offender. The two engaged in a brief conversation before the offender produced a firearm and shot the victim.

Highland Park police re-opened the Green Bay Road around 5:15 p.m. The shooting scene was located around 800 feet northwest of the soccer field, tennis courts and northwest corner of the building of Highland Park High School.

“There is no known threat to the community.”

— Highland Park Police Department

Following the on-scene investigation, the remaining investigation continues with Lake County Major Crime Task Force Investigators and Highland Park Police Department detectives.

^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^

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