Teen Fatally Shot By Cousin At Wilmington Church: Sheriff

UNINCORPORATED WILMINGTON, IL — A 15-year-old Godley boy staying overnight at his pastor uncle's home in unincorporated Wilmington was shot and killed late Tuesday in what police are calling a "tragic accidental death." During a press conference Wednesday morning, Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley said the teen was staying overnight at his relatives' home attached to the Christian Faith Center, 1800 S. Water St. He and his 17-year-old cousin were in a bedroom when they heard what they believed was the sound of someone attempting to break into the church, according to Kelley.

Kelley said the two teens retrieved a rifle from a closet at the home and began heading towards the church gym, where they believed they heard noises. The 17-year-old pastor's son was behind his 15-year-old cousin when he tripped over an extension cord attached to an industrial fan and fell.

That's when Kelley said the rifle accidentally discharged, hitting the 15-year-old Godley teen in the upper body under his armpit.

Kelley said deputies were called to the church at around 11:43 p.m. Tuesday and found the 15-year-old unresponsive in the main area of the church. A deputy and a family member performed CPR on the boy, whose name was not immediately released, until paramedics arrived.

The teen was taken to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, where he was pronounced dead.

Kelley said the 17-year-old was interviewed by detectives and then released to his parents without charges. The sheriff said investigators determined the shooting was a tragic accident.

Kelley said there was no sign of forced entry at the church or attached residence. "We don't know exactly what (the teens) heard, but we don't think anyone was trying to break into the residence," he said.

The pastor and his family had recently moved into the church residence and the 15-year-old was staying overnight, according to Kelley.

Asked if anything could be learned from the tragedy, Kelley said perhaps the 17-year-old should have told his father about the noises he heard. Instead, "He decided to take matters into his own hands."

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