15-year-old boy shot in the head in Joliet, critically injured

A 15-year-old boy was transferred to a Chicago children’s hospital after being shot in the head late Saturday night in Joliet, authorities said.

At around 10:40 p.m., officers responded to Wheeler Avenue near Woods Avenue for the report of a shooting. Officers learned a vehicle carrying a gunshot victim left the area and was located at the intersection of Meadow Avenue and Thorne Street in Rockdale, police said in a news release.

There, the driver flagged down a Will County sheriff’s deputy, who provided assistance to the injured teen. The victim was brought to Saint Joseph Medical Center in the deputy’s squad car, with help of a Rockdale police officer, authorities said.

The teen was reported to be in critical condition and later taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital for additional treatment. Police said a 14-year-old boy was battered during the same incident, and was hospitalized for his injuries.

Investigators determined the shooting occurred at West Park. The scene was processed by an evidence technician, and detectives canvassed the area for evidence, police said.

As of Sunday afternoon, the motive for the shooting remained under investigation.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Joliet Police Department’s Investigations Division at 815-724-3020 or submit anonymous tips to Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or online.