Wisconsin Man Arrested in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Shooting Outside Beach Park Home
BEACH PARK, ILLINOIS — A Wisconsin man has been charged in connection with a murder-for-hire shooting that left a Beach Park resident in critical condition after being ambushed outside his home early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the 38400 block of North Sheridan Road shortly after dawn, where a man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds while warming up his vehicle.
Victim Critically Injured After Ambush
Officials said the victim’s family rushed him to Vista East Medical Center, from where he was airlifted to a Level 1 trauma center due to the severity of his injuries. As of Thursday night, he remained in extremely critical condition.
Investigators reviewed neighborhood surveillance footage and identified a suspicious vehicle seen near the scene at the time of the shooting.
Wisconsin Suspect Tracked Down and Arrested
Detectives traced the vehicle to 28-year-old Cristian N. Ruval-Cavatorres of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, and coordinated with local authorities to make an arrest.
Ruval-Cavatorres was taken into custody during a traffic stop later Wednesday evening. During the subsequent search warrant execution, investigators said they found both the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting and a cellphone allegedly used to communicate with the person who hired him.
“Our detectives worked around the clock to identify and locate those responsible,” said a spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “This was a deliberate and planned attack.”
Evidence Points to Murder-for-Hire Scheme
Authorities believe Ruval-Cavatorres was paid to carry out the shooting, describing the incident as an “intentional act tied to a murder-for-hire plot.”
He now faces several serious charges, including:
- Attempted First-Degree Murder
- Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
- Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
Ruval-Cavatorres remains in custody at the Racine County Jail, pending extradition to Lake County, Illinois.
Second Suspect Detained in North Chicago
Investigators located a second suspect — the alleged individual who hired Ruval-Cavatorres — in North Chicago on Thursday afternoon. Deputies detained the man around 1:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Park Avenue, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Charges against that suspect are pending as the investigation continues.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the alleged plot and whether additional individuals were involved. The sheriff’s office said more details would be released as charges are finalized.
“This was a senseless act of violence driven by greed and conspiracy,” said Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg. “We are committed to ensuring all responsible parties face justice.”
What are your thoughts on this developing case in Beach Park?