WEST TOWN — West Town resident Ismael Betancourt has been positively identified as the person who shot a 34-year-old man at 5:47 a.m. on Sunday in the 1100 block of North Ashland Avenue, police announced on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Betancourt, of the 800 block of North Ashland Avenue, is a documented gang member and convicted felon, as is the man whom he shot and who survived a bullet graze to the head, police said.
After the drive-by shooting early Sunday, police saw Betancourt flee the area driving at a high rate of speed and stopped Betancourt's car. They recovered spent shell casings and a handgun in the car.
Betancourt faces several felony counts for aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated use of a loaded weapon, and aggravated assault/discharge of a weapon. He also did not have a firearm identification card (FOID).
