squad-lights-630x355

Evanston police today charged two 18-year-olds with first degree murder in the Feb. 8 shooting death of 20-year-old Yakez Semark.

Julius Francellno of Evanston and Malik Caswell of Chicago are scheduled to appear in bond court in Chicago tomorrow.

Cmdr. Ryan Glew says detectives from Evanston and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force investigating the case learned that Francellno and Caswell had arranged to meet with Semark in the 1800 block of Hovland Court to buy a quantity of cannabis.

But the transaction, Glew says, escalated into a physical altercation between Francellno and Semark that ended with Francellno shooting Semark once in the chest. The Evanston Township High School graduate was pronounced dead at Evanston Hospital.

Francellno was taken into custody on Thursday, and Caswell on Saturday.

Related stories

Person of interest in custody in homicide (2/16/18)

Police report progress in homicide probe (2/16/18)

Murder victim was ETHS grad (2/9/18)

Chicago man shot to death on Hovland Court (2/9/18)

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

Leave a comment

The goal of our comment policy is to make the comments section a vibrant yet civil space. Treat each other with respect — even the people you disagree with. Whenever possible, provide links to credible documentary evidence to back up your factual claims.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *