A 53-year-old man was critically injured in a shooting at an apartment building in Joliet, Illinois, while another man was arrested, police said.
Officers were called to the building in the 300 block of Western Avenue at about 8.53am on Sunday after reports that someone had been shot.
They found the victim on the first floor with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Investigators said he had been shot on the eighth floor before making his way to another tenant’s flat to seek help.
Police officers provided emergency medical assistance until firefighters arrived. The injured man was taken to St Joseph Medical Centre, where he was described as being in a critical but stable condition.
During the investigation, officers found 35-year-old Antonio Sims on the eighth floor with a laceration to his left hand. He was identified as the suspected shooter and taken into custody before being transported to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment.
Detectives said Sims and the victim knew each other and that the shooting may have happened during a struggle. The circumstances leading up to the incident remain under investigation.
A search of Sims’s flat allegedly uncovered a loaded 9mm handgun reported stolen in Aurora, as well as suspected cocaine.
After being discharged from hospital, Sims was taken to the Joliet Police Department. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and having no Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.
Police said further charges could be brought as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Joliet Police Department’s investigations division on 815-724-3020. Anonymous reports can be made to Will County Crime Stoppers.
