UPDATE: Name of victims in drag strip shooting released

Sheriff David Beth updates reporters regarding the shootings at Great Lakes Dragaway Sunday morning.

The names of the victims in a Sunday evening shooting at a drag strip in Paris have been released by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.

At a press conference at the track on Monday afternoon, Sheriff David Beth said the victims, all men, were:

• David L. Watson, 30, of Oswego, Illinois, who died en route to the hospital.
• Khalid R. Howard, 30, of Aurora, Illinois, who died at the scene.
• Derek K. Edwards, 26, of North Aurora, Illinois, who died at the scene.

Authorities do not have a suspect in custody as of Monday afternoon, Beth said.

The suspect is described as a black male, between the areas of 20-30, approximately 5 feet 9 inches with a thin athletic build. Witnesses describe the suspect as having shaved hair on both sides with a “scruffy” top. Witnesses say he fled on foot and then by an unknown vehicle.

Beth said the shootings were at close range and the victims were distinct targets. At one point he referred to the shootings as assassinations. There was a “strong possibility” it was gang-related as the three victims were known gang associates.

“I don’t know if this is retaliation, I don’t know if this is a family trouble, I really don’t know,” Beth said. “The only thing I am very positive of is the three people who are dead are involved with a gang in Illinois.”

Beth said he could not give a motive for the shooting.

There was armed private security on site; the track was not screening people for weapons, Beth said, but the incident happened in a parking area where anyone could have driven in.

Deputies were on scene all night. Searching the scene was difficult because of the upwards of 15,000 people at the event and fading light after the 7 p.m. hour when it occurred. Investigation at the scene continued while the press conference was going on.

Beth said the KCSD is working with Milwaukee area police, Aurora police and the FBI.

Beth asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the Sheriff’s Department (262-605-5100).

“Keep calling in,” Beth said.