Juveniles shooting fireworks in Alton led to gunshots, teen injured

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generic image(Action News 5)
Published: Jul. 8, 2024 at 12:50 PM CDT

ALTON (First Alert 4) -- A 14-year-old boy was injured Friday night in Alton after juveniles shooting fireworks at each other escalated into gunshots.

The Alton Police Department said a large group of kids were shooting fireworks at each other, which eventually led to gunshots being fired. The 14-year-old was shot in the 1400 block of Fletcher Street around 9:30 p.m.

The Alton Police and Fire Departments responded and took the boy to Alton Memorial Hospital. Police said the hospital was placed on lockdown for a short period of time “out of an abundance of caution.” The boy was later taken to a hospital in St. Louis and is in stable condition.

Illinois State Police, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the East Alton Police Department also responded to the scene of the shooting Friday night. Anyone with information is asked to call the Alton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 618-463-3505 ext 634.