Teen shooting victim in Joliet identified

Joliet police are investigating the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy that occurred near the intersection of Ottawa and Munroe streets Sunday morning.

The Will County Coroner's office identified the victim as Pedro M. Zabala, of Romeoville.

Around 10:16 a.m., officers responded to the intersection in reference to someone being shot, according to a Joliet Police Department news release.

Officers found Zabala shot in the head near the intersection. The Joliet Fire Department arrived on scene and determined the teen had died from being shot.

He was pronounced dead at 11:25 a.m., according to the Will County Coroner's Office.

Police had much of Ottawa Street south of Fourth Avenue blocked off from traffic while they were at the scene of the shooting. A Joliet fire truck was brought in closer to 2 p.m. and appeared to spray part of the curb and sidewalk near the northwest corner of Ottawa and Munroe streets with a fire hose.

The police investigation is in its early stages according to the news release. Joliet police are actively looking into what happened and will update the public when more information is available.

The coroner's office performed an autopsy on the victim Monday, according to a news release. The final cause and manner of death will be determined following final police, autopsy and toxicology reports.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact the Investigation Unit at 815-724-3020.

They can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or visit crimestoppersofwillcounty.org if they wish to remain anonymous.