Weapons charge filed against Highland Park man as investigation into fatal beach confrontation continues

A man involved in a fatal weekend fight at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve beach appeared in court Monday on a weapons charge unrelated to the altercation in which a 45-year-old man died.

Nicholas Caban, 20, of Highland Park, appeared in Lake County bond court on a charge of possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number.

Authorities recovered a handgun at his house Saturday morning after he reportedly called police to report the fight on the Highland Park beach, prosecutors said at the bond hearing.

However, Caban and an 18-year-old man who was with him have not been charged in the fatal fight. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force and the Lake County Forest Preserve Police are continuing to investigate that incident.

Authorities say the 45-year-old man who lives near the forest preserve beach along Lake Michigan went outside at about 1 a.m. Saturday to speak with Caban and his friend, who were being loud, police said.

A fight ensued, authorities said, which resulted in the man’s death. His identity has not yet been released.

A person walking along the beach around 5:10 a.m. Saturday came upon the man’s body, Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Valiulis said at Monday’s bond hearing. A short time later, Caban called police to report the fight, the prosecutor said.

Police came to the house in Highland Park where he lives with his parents and found Caban bloodied and covered in sand, Valiulis said. Police obtained a search warrant for the home and found a loaded Glock pistol with a scratched-off serial number in Caban’s bedroom, the prosecutor said.

Caban’s attorney Adam Sheppard asked for low bond on the weapon charge. Caban, he said, had staples in his head from an injury he received in the fight. He also appeared to have a black eye. Authorities said that both Caban and the 18-year-old were hospitalized for injuries.

“He was pummeled,” said Sheppard, who added that Caban reported the incident and has been cooperating with police.

Judge James Simonian set bail at $100,000 on the weapons charge.