Man who Honked Car Horn to Break up Fight Shot Outside Barcode 52 Saturday

A man who honked his horn in an effort to stop a fight outside Barcode 52 was shot in the chest Saturday night and a stray bullet went through the window of a still-open Subway restaurant across the street.

The 11:40 p.m. shooting is believed to be gang-related because one of the men outside the 1609 W. Jefferson St. bar shouted a gang name before opening fire, according to a story in the Joliet Herald News.

The victim, 29, whose identity was not released, underwent surgery at nearby Provena St. Joseph Medical Center for his injuries, which were described as non-life-threatening, the story said.

Four Hispanic men are being sought in connection the incident.

Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton told the paper the situation is disturbing because the alleged gang members shoot without consideration to where they are or who might be in the area.

“They (gang members) just pull the trigger,” he said. “They have no idea where the bullet is going to go. ... It’s a scary situation when they’re doing this.”

Barcode 52 has been in trouble with the city on at least one previous occasion since opening in mid-2010. In October 2011, it was fined $500 when police found an underage drinker in the bar.

The shooting comes at the end of what was a very violent week for Joliet. On Monday, one teen was shot and killed in the 1000 block of Lois Place Monday, and one day later, two more were shot and killed in the 700 block of Second Avenue.

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