Joliet police officer shot at, missed fleeing armed suspect: cops

An officer shot at and missed a 17-year-old armed with a 9 mm handgun who ran away from officers on patrol Wednesday night at a gas station in Joliet, police said.

The 17-year-old was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of ammunition, no firearm owner’s identification card and obstructing a police officer, Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English said.

Officers recovered a 9 mm handgun possessed by the teen, he said.

At 8:02 p.m. Wednesday, officers on patrol saw the 17-year-old and a 16-year-old behind a gas station in the 700 block of East Cass Street, English said.

The 17-year-old ran away when officers approached, he said.

Officers ran after the teen and saw he was holding a handgun, English said. The teen ignored commands from officers to stop and drop the gun, he said.

Officers chased after the teen to the 600 block of Jerome Street, and he turned back toward an officer while still armed with the handgun, English said.

The pursuing officer fired his gun and missed the suspect, English said. The teen dropped his weapon, and he was arrested, English said.

The 16-year-old who was with the teen was not arrested, English said. He was released to a parent.

English said he was unable to address other questions about the incident at this time.