Crime & Safety
2 Charged With Opening Fire at Crowd Watching Joliet Video Shoot
Both men were charged with the shooting even though one was the alleged wheelman in the drive-by.
Two men were charged with opening fire at a crowd watching a video shoot outside a Joliet grocery store.
Ernest Morgan and Jordan Hughes were both charged with using a firearm to commit an aggravated battery even though Morgan was the alleged wheelman in the Friday evening drive-by shooting.
Morgan, 18, of Crest Hill was also charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding, reckless driving and obstructing a police officer. Hughes, also 18, of Lockport was hit with charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, criminal damage to property and possession of ammunition without a firearm owner's identification card, on top of the aggravated battery.
The targeted crowd had gathered to watch a video shoot at S&T Food Mart, a 124 S. Richards St. grocery store. The business had given permission for the video to be made there, police said.
During the production, a red Monte Carlo pulled up and a passenger opened fire with a handgun, police said, hitting A 21-year-old man once in the lower right arm.
Officers in the area gave chase and saw the passenger toss the gun near Miller Avenue, police said.
Officers eventually caught up to and stopped the fleeing Monte Carlo on Freedom Boulevard, police said. Morgan and Hughes were then taken into custody.
The police also reportedly recovered the gun jettisoned near Miller. It was a .32-caliber, as were five shell casings found at the scene of the shooting, police said.
The wounded man was treated at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center.
Go take a look at our Facebook page.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
