Crest Hill Shootings: Victims 17, 24, Expected To Recover

CREST HILL, IL — A 17-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man were expected to recover from their gunshot wounds they suffered around 6 p.m. at the Woodlands apartment complex, according to Crest Hill's chief of police.

Ed Clark said the two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. The chief also emphasized that Wednesday's shootings in the 1800 of Arbor Lane is not connected to the homicide that happened around the same time frame in the village of Romeoville.

The chief also asked people in the Joliet area to contact Sgt. Jason Opiola if they have video of the shootings. The chief believes that several people may have been outside and recorded video footage of the shootings on their personal phones.

Videos can be sent to Sgt. Opiola at jopiola@cityofcresthill.com or anonymously to the Will County Crime Stoppers. People can also call the Crest Hill police sergeant at 815-741-5115 or the Will Crime Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or text "willcocs" and your tip to 274637.

Several Crest Hill police cars, plus the Will County Sheriff's Office and Illinois State Police, converged on the Woodlands apartment complex shortly after 6 p.m.

Chief Clark also said that the residents of the apartment complex "were very helpful" in terms of helping the officers investigate Wednesday night's shootings.

According to the chief, two different groups of people were outside in the 1800 block of Arbor Lane when the shootings occurred.

Area resident Chuck Andrews, a regular contributor to Joliet Patch, said he lives in the area and heard about 30 gunshots.

Andrews went to the scene and captured several photos for Joliet Patch.

His photos from the crime scene show Lockport Township ambulance crews attending to an apparent shooting victim.

The ambulance left with that victim at 6:30 p.m., Andrews said.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old Romeoville man was shot to death around the same time at Friendship Centre in HighPoint. Romeoville police said they were working with Crest Hill police to determine whether the shootings were connected.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch later for updates.