Chicago Man, 20, Fired At Car Before Being Fatally Shot: Kankakee Police

KANKAKEE, IL — A 20-year-old man fatally shot in Kankakee Sunday is believed to have fired shots first before being struck, police said Tuesday.

At 10:27 p.m. Nov. 23, officers from the Kankakee Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the parking lot of 952 E. Court St. Police say officers found Donnie Smith lying on the ground next to a handgun with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers secured the gun, according to police, and Smith was taken to Riverside Hospital, where he later died.

Detectives responded and processed the scene, recovering multiple shell casings. Police said three male individuals who were with Smith prior to the shooting were taken to the Detective Bureau for interviews.

Investigators obtained and reviewed surveillance video from the business Smith and the other three people visited shortly before the incident.

According to police, the footage showed Smith and two men entering the store. Smith then saw a Buick, occupied by three individuals, pull up in front of the business. Police said Smith then left the store, removed a handgun from his waistband, aimed toward the driver's side of the Buick and fired. The driver of the Buick returned fire, striking Smith several times, before the vehicle left the parking lot.

At 10:30 a.m. Nov. 24, police say investigators found the Buick involved in the incident inside a garage in the 200 block of S. Chicago Avenue. The vehicle was taken to the Kankakee Police Department for processing.

Later that evening, at around 7:30 p.m., the driver of the Buick, identified by police as a person of interest, arrived at the Police Department with legal counsel to speak with investigators, police said. The driver provided a statement consistent with the events depicted in the surveillance footage, according to police. Following the interview, the person of interest was released pending further investigation and review by the Kankakee County State's Attorney's Office.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

"This case moved quickly due to the diligence and professionalism of our officers and the entire Detective Bureau," said Chief Christopher Kidwell. "We are extremely proud of their efforts and thankful for the assistance provided by our state and local partners, Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, as well as the Kankakee County Coroner's Office. The case will now be forwarded to the State's Attorney's Office for final review."