15-Year-Old Boy Charged In Shooting That Wounded 2 Teens: Police

PALOS HILLS, IL — Felony juvenile charges are pending against a 15-year-old boy accused of shooting two teens in a Palos Hills residential neighborhood. The fracas apparently began when one of the 15-year-old’s companions sold an 11-year-old boy a vape and his older brother got upset, police said.

Around 8:30 p.m. July 3, Palos Hills police went to the 10500 block of Michael Drive in reference to a gunshot victim needing help. When officers arrived they learned that all the people involved were male juveniles.

Earlier in the day, four teens in a silver car were said to have sold an 11-year-old boy a vape, telling him it was candy. When the boy told his 17-year-old brother about the vape pen, the older brother got upset. Police said the brother and his friend, also 17, contacted the youths on SnapChat. Both pretended to be interested in buying vapes and set up a meeting on Michael Drive.

The brother and his friend arrived at the appointed time. Police said the two got out of their vehicle and confronted the driver and three other youths in the silver car. Police said that a 15-year-old boy sitting in the rear passenger seat of the silver car pointed a gun at the brother and his friend.

The brother became enraged and punched the rear passenger seat window, shattering the glass. Police said the 15-year-old began firing the gun at the brother and his friend. The brother was wounded in the left leg and his friend suffered a gunshot wound to his right foot, police said. By the time officers arrived, officers said the silver car had by then left the scene.

Palos Hills detectives spent several days collecting evidence and reviewing home security video trying to identify the shooter. After many hours of surveillance the 15-year-old was arrested on July 5, police said.

The teen was taken to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center at 110th Street and Hamilton Avenue in Chicago. Palos Hills police are working with the Cook County assistant state’s attorney handling juvenile cases. Charges are pending.