5th Skokie shooting suspect released

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

Police said this suspect fired the shot that killed Max Gadau, 17, but he was released due to insufficient evidence.

"He's a 17-year-old juvenile from the city of Chicago," Commander David Pawlak, Skokie Police Department, 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 said they believed they had 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 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."

The injured girl is still in critical condition but improving