Lake and McHenry County Scanner

A Waukegan man, who was found with a machine gun, is being held on a $3 million bond for his alleged involvement in one of two recent shootings at Club 18 in Waukegan.

Jevar A. Matus, 25, of Waukegan, was charged with two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, four counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.

Waukegan police officers responded to a noise complaint around 12:35 a.m. on September 1 and observed a white Dodge Journey, which was registered to Matus.

They encountered Matus, who was heavily intoxicated and wearing a blue basketball jersey with the number 33 on the back, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelse Banks.

Matus had a light brown satchel on his back that said “Supreme” on the front of it. Officers told the people to leave the parking lot.

Approximately 20 minutes later, officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Club 18, 1814 Washington Street in Waukegan.

An anonymous caller reported hearing gunshots on the corner.

Officers located a spent shell casing and Club 18 had surveillance video, which was provided to officers.

A white Dodge Journey was seen and an officer recognized it as being the same car involved in the earlier noise complaint, Banks said.

Matus was also seen on surveillance video exiting Club 18 wearing the same basketball jersey with the number 33 on it along with the satchel.

Banks said that Matus pulled a firearm out of the satchel he was wearing and held it in his right hand while sitting in the passenger seat of the Dodge.

The surveillance video showed Matus pointing the gun out the window and firing approximately two shots in the air.

Later that same day, another shooting occurred at Club 18 around 10:10 p.m.

Officers arrived to find three victims shot. The victims included a Waukegan man in his 20s, an 18-year-old Waukegan woman and a Waukegan man in his 50s.

All three victims suffered injuries believed to be non-life-threatening and were transported to the hospital.

Shots were fired from a sedan at the victims, who were standing outside on the sidewalk in front of the establishment, police said.

Video surveillance obtained from the business showed Matus sitting inside the corner of the bar at the time of the shooting.

While the shooting was taking place, Matus was observed pulling a handgun from a satchel he was wearing, Banks said.

He was also observed with the gun in his hand in the rear parking lot of the business before putting it back into his satchel, Banks said.

On Tuesday morning, officers spotted Matus’ white Dodge Journey driving in Waukegan.

The officers knew the vehicle belonged to Matus because of the Club 18 incidents.

A traffic stop was conducted and Matus was identified as the driver.

Officers observed a brown satchel under the passenger seat. The vehicle was towed from the scene and a search warrant was obtained.

Inside the satchel was a 9mm firearm, possibly a ghost gun, with no serial number, Banks said.

A switch was attached to the gun, rendering it fully automatic. A loaded magazine was inserted into the gun.

A substance that field tested positive for cocaine was also found in the satchel.

Matus does not have a Firearm Owners Identification card or concealed carry license, Banks said.

Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Matus held on a $3 million bond.

Matus remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on September 14.

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