Bloomington Police arrested a 14-year-old boy Monday on charges he shot a 16-year-old boy last week.
The 14-year-old is in juvenile custody, awaiting weapons charges. Police have not released his identity because he is a juvenile.
BPD spokesperson John Fermon said the victim is in serious but stable condition at Carle BroMenn Medical Center.
“Youth gun violence is a major concern in our community and every community.”BPD spokesperson John Fermon
The shooting happened the night of Dec. 27 outside a home in the 700 block of East Wood Street where BPD officers said they found a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound.
Fermon said how the boy got the stolen gun and what prompted the shooting are still under investigation.
“When you see a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, a 14-year-old suspect, this is obviously going to impact him for the rest of his life and then the 16-year-old (will be impacted),” said Fermon, adding the two teens do not appear to be related.
"Youth gun violence is a major concern in our community and every community.”
Preliminary charges against the 14-year-old include aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm and defacing identification marks of a firearm.
McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp told WGLT on Monday he has informed defense counsel he plans to request the case be moved to adult court. The teen is due to appear in juvenile court on Tuesday.
Police said anyone who has information on the case should contact BPD detective Kevin Raisbeck at (309) 434-2593 or kraisbeck@cityblm.org, or contact detective Curt Maas at (309) 434-2534 or cmaas@cityblm.org.
Illegal guns
Police recovered a stolen gun when they arrested the 14-year-old boy, noting officers have seized five illegal firearms in three separate incidents since Saturday.
Fermon added those weapons likely make up a small fraction of the illegal guns that are still on the streets.
“We would assume if we have five (illegal guns recovered), there’s 40 people carrying illegal firearms in our community,” Fermon said. “We don’t have (many) encounters with legal gun owners.”