Naval Base Tragedy: Kayshawn Wilkerson’s Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Leads to Death in North Chicago, IL, Coroner Confirms

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (WLS) — A sailor succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Naval Station Great Lakes on Wednesday, according to confirmation from the Lake County Coroner’s Office on Friday.

The incident prompted the Naval Station Great Lakes Police and Fire Departments to respond to a call about a gunshot victim on a firing range at the North Chicago site at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

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First responders found 18-year-old Kayshawn Wilkerson, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Wilkerson, who served at the Recruit Training Center Naval Station Great Lakes, was declared deceased at the location. He was a native of Ocala, Florida.

“We are saddened to confirm the death of a recruit assigned to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes” a spokesperson said.

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Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Kayshawn died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the coroner’s office said Friday.

Chopper 7 was over the emergency response on Wednesday afternoon.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.