Kankakee, IL – Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Kankakee after officers responding to reports of gunfire Thursday night found the teenager suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
According to the Kankakee Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 10:40 p.m. Thursday to the 600 block of South Elm Avenue after receiving a report of several shots fired. When officers arrived, they located the shooting scene and found the 17-year-old lying on the ground.
Officers immediately attempted to provide aid to the teenager, police said. Despite those efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the teenager has been identified, but authorities are withholding his name while notification of next of kin is completed.
Kankakee City detectives responded to the scene and processed the area as part of the ongoing investigation. The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office is also assisting investigators.
Authorities had not announced an arrest or released information about a possible suspect as of Friday morning. Police also have not disclosed what may have led to the shooting.
The shooting occurred in Kankakee, the county seat of Kankakee County, roughly 60 miles south of Chicago.
Investigators are now asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that could help identify those responsible to come forward. Tips can be provided to the Kankakee Police Department Detective Bureau at 815-933-0426 or Kankakee County Crime Stoppers at 815-932-7463.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and no additional information was immediately available.
