Joliet Shooting Victim, 31, In Serious Condition As Arrest Made

JOLIET, IL — For the third consecutive day this week, Joliet police detectives have solved a shooting, and the latest one left a 31-year-old gunshot victim in serious condition after suffering a wound to his chest around 5 p.m. Thursday on Joliet's west side.

After the shooting, officers and detectives arrested 26-year-old Joliet resident Erik Solis-Medina on charges of aggravated battery using a gun, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and defacing the identification marks on a gun. Solis-Media comes from the 600 block of Silver Lake Street.

"This appears to be a targeted incident and there is no danger to the community. The victim remains in the hospital in serious condition," Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said in Friday's press release.

English said that fellow officers learned of the shooting when the victim was rushed to the emergency room at St. Joe's hospital in someone's private vehicle just after 5 p.m.

English said the following events led to the arrest of Solis-Medina:

• The 31-year-old victim was walking near Theodore Street and Covered Bridge Way when he was shot in the chest during the drive-by shooting.
• Joliet Police detectives determined Solis-Medina was the prime shooting suspect.
• On Thursday night, police spotted his car near Mission Boulevard and Cathy Drive and pulled him over. He was taken away in handcuffs without any problems.

During the traffic stop, detectives recovered a loaded .22 caliber handgun from under the passenger side of the car. "Further inspection of the handgun revealed that the serial number had been defaced," English announced.

Related Joliet Patch shooting coverage from this week:

• Joliet's Overnight Shooter Arrested With Cocaine, Pot, Gun: JPD
• Joliet Teen Shoots Himself, Friend During 'Reckless Discharge': JPD
• Woman's Car, House Struck By Bullets Near Ingalls Avenue