Stray Bullet Strikes Shopper in Jefferson Street Jewel Parking Lot

A shopper walking out of a grocery store thought he heard fireworks popping off — then realized he‘d been winged by a stray bullet Wednesday night.

At least three people were shot, including the bystander, and a fourth suffered unknown injuries in a shooting Wednesday at around 8:10 p.m. in the 1300 block of John Street, Joliet police said.

Deputy Chief Al Roechner said officers responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot of Jewel-Osco, 1401 W. Jefferson St. The man was leaving the store when he heard what he initially thought was fireworks, then felt pain in his upper right arm.

Police said they believe the victim was simply an innocent bystander.

While interviewing him, police found another victim on John Street who had been shot in the lower leg, hip and back, Roechner said, and a third victim with a gunshot wound to the lower leg. A fourth victim suffered unknown minor injuries, possibly from being hit by debris, Roechner said.

The three John Street victims told police they were sitting on the front porch drinking when someone started shooting at them. The suspects allegedly came from the rear of the home and opened fire, witnesses told police.

One of the suspects, described as being a male of undetermined race but possibly black and wearing a white hoodie, reportedly fled the scene on a bicycle, heading north on Midland Avenue. The other suspect was also a male of undetermined race, possibly Hispanic, witnesses told police.

Roechner said none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.