On January 22, 2026, at 1:24 a.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of North Hickory Street.

While officers were on scene, they overheard a single gunshot to the south of their location and began to investigate in the alley, and they were approached by a 15-year-old male that appeared to have sustained a single gunshot wound to the mouth.

Officers immediately summoned an ambulance and provided medical assistance until paramedics arrived. The juvenile victim was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to St. Joseph Medical Center. The victim was later transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

As the investigation progressed, officers and detectives canvassed the area and determined the shooting occurred in the parking lot of Riverwalk Homes, near 358 N. Broadway St., following an argument between two male juveniles.

Detectives identified a 15-year-old male as the suspect in the shooting. Later that morning, shortly after 11 a.m., detectives located the juvenile suspect near the Will County Courthouse and took him into custody without incident.

During a search, detectives recovered a 9mm handgun from the juvenile’s jacket. The firearm was later determined to be stolen from Country Club Hills. The juvenile suspect was transported to the Joliet Police Department where he was questioned by detectives.

The 15-year-old suspect was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

He was processed and then transferred to the River Valley Justice Center.