3 Teenagers Shot, 1 Arrest Made By Joliet Police Department: 'This Appears To Be Targeted Incident'

JOLIET, IL — Two teenagers are in critical condition from their gunshot wounds and a third teen who was also shot has been treated and released from St. Joe's hospital. On Friday morning, the Joliet Police Department's Dwayne English issued a press release revealing everything that happened on Thursday night at the Lois Place apartments near Larkin Avenue and Black Road.

"The motive and the events leading up to this shooting remain under investigation. This appears to be a targeted incident," English said.

At 8:16 p.m., Joliet officers responded to a report of multiple people shot in the 1000 block of Lois Place. The officers found two 17-year-old boys inside 1021 Lois Place who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. One victim was found in a second-floor stairwell with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. The second victim was in a first-floor stairwell with gunshot wounds to the leg and abdomen.

A third 17-year-old boy was outside 937 Lois Place with a gunshot wound to his right hand. All three victims were taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment

English said the victim who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen remains in critical
condition. The victim with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg was later transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he remains in critical condition. The third victim was treated and released.

Details On Shooter Revealed

During the initial response, officers saw a male running from the area of the shooting. Officers found him on Lois Place, south of Vernon Avenue, and took him into custody. The male, also a 17-year-old juvenile, was in possession of a backpack containing three 9mm handguns and ammunition, one of which had been reported stolen out of Crest Hill, police said.

He was charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. He was processed at the Joliet Police Department and transported to the River Valley Justice Center.

"His involvement in the shooting remains under investigation," English said.

During the investigation, officers recovered one gun and numerous shell casings from the laundry room of 1021 Lois Place. Evidence of gunfire damage was throughout the scene, including an occupied apartment that was struck by gunfire; no additional injuries were reported.

During an additional canvass of the apartment complex, officers also recovered a backpack containing two additional handguns outside 943 Lois Place.