Joliet Shooting Of Boy, 6, Leads To Felony Charges For Teen

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Police have filed four new felony charges against 18-year-old Darrell Harris Jr. in connection with the late September shooting of a 6-year-old boy on the city's west side.

Already in the Will County Jail, Harris' new charges include aggravated battery, aggravated discharge of a gun, aggravated battery and aggravated assault. Bail was set at $500,000.

“I am very proud of the detectives' dedication and perseverance in pursuing this case, and we wish the young victim of this horrible act nothing but the best," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans announced in Monday's press release. "The Joliet Police Department will never relent in its pursuit of those who prey on our most defenseless residents. We appreciate the Will County Sheriff's Office's help in this matter."

To recap, the following events on Sept. 25 led to the latest criminal charges for Harris, according to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English:

Around 5 p.m., several gunshots were fired in the 500 block of Bellarmine Drive, which is near McDonough Street.

A boy, 6, suffered to his arm and he was rushed to St. Joe's hospital. The boy was treated and later released. Several residential dwellings and cars along Bellarmine were also shot up.

The getaway vehicle, a white Kia sedan, refused to pull over when Joliet police got behind the car and a chase ensued.

The Kia ultimately crashed in the 300 block of Mills Road and five suspects in the car were captured, including Harris.

Harris spent several days hospitalized at Silver Cross and he was taken into custody on Oct. 1 on lesser charges including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful ammunition possession and having no FOID.

"Throughout the course of this investigation, Detectives identified Harris as a suspect in the shooting," Joliet police announced Monday.

Harris was served with the arrest warrant on Friday at his Will County Jail cell.

Harris resides in the apartment units in the 1800 block of Asbury Circle. His total bail now stands at $1,025,000.