Three teen boys were found in a suburban home with multiple gunshot wounds, leaving two of them in critical condition after what police believe was a “targeted incident.”
Authorities in Joliet said they were called around 8:16 p.m. Thursday to the 1000 block of Lois Place for a report of multiple people shot. Once there, officers found two 17-year-olds inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds.
The first teen was found in a second-floor stairwell with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen, police said. The second was found in a first-floor stairwell with wounds to the leg and abdomen.
A third teen was found outside 937 Lois Place with a wound to his right hand.
The three teens were taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment, with the teen shot in the chest and abdomen in critical condition and the teen shot in the leg and abdomen transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, also in critical condition.
The third teen was treated and released.
The incident sparked a heavy police presence around the Larkin Village Apartments, authorities wrote on social media in an alert to residents.
Police said as they responded to the scene, they saw a male “running from the area of the shooting” and took him into custody. The teen was carrying a backpack that was found to be carrying three 9mm handguns, ammunition.
The 17-year-old suspect was charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
“His involvement in the shooting remains under investigation,” police said.
Police said a firearm and numerous shell casings were also found in the laundry room at 1021 Lois Place and a backpack with additional handguns was found outside 943 Lois Place.
“The motive and the events leading up to this shooting remain under investigation,” police said. “This appears to be a targeted incident.”
Authorities are asking anyone with video footage or information related to the shooting to call (815) 724-3020.
