Boy, 14, Wounded in 'Brazen' Daytime Shooting in South Suburbs

• Photos by Todd Sherman, Northern Illinois Fireground Photos

MATTESON, IL — A 14-year-old boy was shot while riding in the backseat of a car Thursday afternoon outside a strip mall in south suburban Matteson.

Witnesses reported hearing a series of gunshots, and police spotted two people running from the area of Rose Plaza at Lincoln Highway and Cicero. Several area businesses were placed on lockdown while police searched for the suspect. The offender was not caught.

One of the men seen fleeing was determined to have been riding inside the car targeted, according to a release from police. Police said the teen who was shot and four passengers were traveling west on Lincoln Highway when the shooter began following them. The suspect then pulled alongside and shot into the vehicle, piercing the windshield, striking the driver's side backseat passenger, said Matteson Police Chief Michael Jones.

The incident took place outside a busy strip mall on Lincoln Highway.

"You could hear the 'pops'" said Terry House, who was nearby at the time. "This was a brazen shooting."

The wounded boy was immediately taken to Christ Hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive.

The Criminal Investigations Division is currently following up with the investigation. Police are not identifying the victim. No suspect information is available at this time.

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