Alleged gunmen charged in Highwood shooting — but one remains on lam

Lake County authorities have filed charges against two men who reportedly unloaded nearly 20 gunshots on June 7 outside of a Highwood bar.

Aaron Rosales, 24, of Highwood, and Jose A. Castrejon-Mancilla, 24, of Highland Park, were each charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, said Sara Avalos, director of communications with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Highwood Police Chief Dave Wentz confirmed on Aug. 20 that while Rosales was arrested, Castrejon-Mancilla is still wanted.

The Record previously reported that police believe the shooting at Santi’s bar, 324 Green Bay Road, stemmed from a fight inside the establishment around closing time in the early-morning hours. No one was reported injured.

Two suspects then reportedly fled in a car before crashing, leading police on an hourslong manhunt. Police then found two loaded handguns allegedly used in the shooting.

According to Avalos, Rosales appeared in court on July 24, and his detention hearing was July 27, after which he was transported to the Lake County Jail.

Castrejon-Mancilla reportedly was charged on July 24, along with Rosales, and has an active warrant, Avalos said.

The shooting began at 3:30 a.m. on June 7, and Avalos said as many as 20 people were in the bar at the time of the shooting.

After the gunshots, the two charged men reportedly got in a black SUV, may have hit another vehicle, then shot at two people near the bar as they were driving away, according to video surveillance.

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