Evanston man faces attempted murder charge in park shootout near high school

An Evanston man has been charged with attempted murder in connection to a shootout blocks away from Evanston Township High School, according to Evanston police.

Zacar Lee, a 20-year-old Evanston resident, was ordered held in custody while awaiting trial during a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

No one was injured during the Thursday afternoon shooting at Mason Park, which is located at Florence and Mason avenues, according to police. The nearby high school went on “precautionary soft lockdown” when the shooting erupted.

Security camera footage showed Lee and others approaching a group on a bench in the park before he and another person fired shots, according to court documents. Two of the people on the bench shot back before Lee and the other person fled.

Seven 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene, police said. One home nearby was damaged by the gunfire.

Chicago police arrested Lee Friday during a traffic stop in Garfield Park. Officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in his car, Evanston police said. Prosecutors said in court Tuesday that the casings match the weapon that was recovered.

He also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm from that arrest. He allegedly admitted to Chicago police he was at Evanston park the day of the shooting, according to court documents.

Lee was expected in court again Friday.