Man, 44, Shot In The Groin At Hickory Street Apartment, Joliet Police Make 2 Arrests

JOLIET, IL — Most shooting crimes in Joliet get solved rather quickly by the Joliet Police Department and Sunday afternoon's shooting on North Hickory has resulted in the capture of 39-year-old Joliet resident Joseph Blakemore on charges of possessing a stolen gun and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said at 1:28 p.m. Oct. 5, officers responded to the 200 block of North Hickory Street for a report of a stabbing. At the crime scene, the officers discovered a 44-year-old man who had sustained a gunshot wound to the groin. There was no evidence of a stabbing.

The victim was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department, and the injury was believed to be non-life threatening.

English said that an altercation and gunfire were overheard outside an apartment building. Following the gunfire, police believe a man carrying a gun ran into the building. Officers established a perimeter around the building, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for the immediate area.

Officers issued commands for the occupants to exit, and several people left the apartment building, including Blakemore, who police believed to be the man with the handgun. Blakemore was detained and transported to the Joliet Police Department for questioning.

Another man who exited the building, identified as Joshua Winters, 28, of Joliet, was placed into custody without incident for an unrelated Will County arrest warrant for failing to appear on previous weapons charges.

"Preliminary information indicates that a physical altercation took place between Blakemore and the victim and Blakemore’s handgun discharged during the altercation," English announced.

A loaded handgun was recovered in one of the apartments. The handgun was determined to be previously reported stolen.