2 Teens Shot In Gang-Related Shooting: Palatine Police

PALATINE, IL — Two teenage boys were shot Friday morning in Palatine in what police are calling a gang-related shooting. The teens were shot outside a clubhouse in the 1100 block of Randville Drive, but Palatine police say they did not suffer life-threatening wounds. The incident also caused schools near the crime scene to go into a soft lockdown while officers investigated the area.

Officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 1100 block of Randville Drive, just before 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, according to a statement released by the Palatine police department. At the scene, police found both teens with gunshot wounds that didn't appear to be life threatening, police said. Paramedics treated them before they were taken to separate hospitals — one to Northwestern Community Hospital and the other Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News — the report stated.

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In a statement released Friday evening, Palatine police said the shooting was an isolated incident, and they were investigating it as a gang-related crime. Detectives also were questioning a person of interest and a possible witnesses to the shooting, according to the statement.

A witness who didn't wish to be identified told the Daily Herald that the two teens were confronted by a group of five backpack-wearing, high school-age teens — three girls and 2 boys. The witness then heard five to six gunshots followed by a scream for help beforee seeing the five teens running toward Palatine High School.

Police worked with Community Consolidated School District 15 and Township High School District 211 to put their nearby schools in a soft lockdown. The affected campuses included Virginia Lake and Jane Addams schools and Palatne High School.

"A soft lockdown means that students and staff are going about their regular school day inside the building, while visitors to the school will be stopped from entering and students are not able to leave," a note on the District 15 website stated.

The District 15 note also said the lockdown had been lifted at 12:15 p.m. and that no students or staffers were hurt. A message on the District 211 site indicated the soft lockdown ended at 1:45 p.m., and all students were dimissed at the normal time.

WATCH: Video footage from the helicopter for ABC 7 Eyewitness News shows officers on foot throughout the residential area:

Police are still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information about the incident should call the Palatine Police Department at 847-359-9000. Anonymous tips can be given to Palatine-Inverness Crime Stoppers at 847-590-7867.

UPDATED (3:33 p.m. Friday, May 12)

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