5th Skokie shooting suspect in custody

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- A fifth person is in custody in connection with the robbery and fatal shooting of a Skokie high school student and the wounding of another teenager.

Police say this suspect fired the shot that killed Max Gadau.

Police say that the suspect is in custody at the Skokie Police Department, but charges are still pending.

"He was just arrested first thing (Monday) morning," said Commander David Pawlak, Skokie Police Department.

A fifth and final suspect is now in custody for the shooting death of the 17-year-old Skokie teenager and the attempted murder and armed robbery of an unnamed 18-year-old girl. Police say the fifth suspect is the person who pulled the trigger.

"He's a 17-year-old juvenile from the city of Chicago," Commander Pawlak said. "At this time because he is a juvenile and no charges have been filed we'll not be releasing the name."

The arrest took place with the help of Chicago Police at the teenager's high school, but investigators will not say which one.

Police also say they believe they now have all of the people responsible for the September 28 shooting. Also in custody and already charged are Dzevad Avdic, Miles Hughes, Jeremy Ly and Nicholas Smith, all of them 19 years old. Investigators say the shooting came about as a result of drug deal gone wrong.

"It was Ly and Advic that wanted to do a robbery for drugs," said Commander Pawlak. "They conspired together knowing that the 17-year-old female dealt drugs."

Ironically, Ly and Advic were Gadau's friends. Police say Gadau was not involved in the deal and was simply with the 18-year-old girl for moral support. Speaking after his funeral service Sunday, Gadau's mother expressed her dismay at their involvement in her son's death.

"I don't believe they knew it was Max," Patricia Gadau said. "I don't believe that. One of them was a former teammate on the swim team. They've both been to my house. I think they're crushed."

Because the fifth suspect is 17 years old, police said that the state's Attorney could charge him either as a juvenile or as an adult. Either way, they expect charges to come at some point Monday night.

The injured 18-year-old girl is still in critical condition, but improving each day.