Joliet officers find handgun modified to fire automatically in shooting investigation

Officers in Joliet recovered a handgun modified to fire automatically, as well as a second handgun and rifle in the investigation of several teens in masks possibly armed on the city’s east side.

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and then released to a parent without charges pending further investigation of the shooting that occurred after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of Dover Street, according to Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English.

Elijah Smith, 18, was arrested on probable cause of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing a police officer, English said. Smith was released from police custody and given a notice to appear in court at a future date, he said.

“This case remains under active investigation,” English said.

The incident began when officers responded to Benton Street and Youngs Avenue for a report of “suspicious individuals wearing masks that were possibly armed with firearms,” English said.

When officers arrived on scene, they spotted four people who “began to run while holding their waistbands” while seeing the officers, English said.

During a foot chase of those four suspects, officers overheard what appeared to be a gunshot coming from nearby in the 500 block of Dover Street, English said.

Smith and two teens were apprehended in a foot chase, English said. Officers recovered “two loaded handguns and a loaded rifle,” he said.

One of the guns was equipped with an automatic switch, English said. The device enables the gun to fire automatically.

“It is believed one of the firearms discharged when it was discarded during the incident. No injuries were reported,” English said.

Nearby schools, including Joliet Central High School, were notified to enact precautionary safety measures during the investigation, English said.

The shooting led to staff at Joliet Central High School and Pathways Campus to stop anyone from entering or exiting the buildings as part of their “secure protocol.”

“All student and staff are safe,” school officials said.