Teen arrested for accidentally shooting another teen

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – The Peoria Police Department arrested a 16-year-old boy for allegedly shooting another teen on Sunday.

According to Peoria police spokesperson Semone Roth, the 16-year-old was arrested for alleged reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a handgun before the age 21.

Officers first responded to a shooting with an injured teenager near Huntington Drive and Alan-A-Dale Lane around 4:45 p.m. Police located a 16-year-old boy with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper of the chest.

The teen told police he and another teen were allegedly handling guns when one accidentally discharged.

The injured man, aged 16, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to Roth, the other teen who allegedly fired the gun was in possession of the handgun before the shooting. He was transported to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Peoria Police at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously) or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.