4-year-old boy, mother found shot and killed inside Joliet residence; man in custody, police say

A mother and her 4-year-old son were killed in a homicide in Joliet, Illinois, on Sunday morning, according to police.

Joliet police said that just before 7 a.m., officers arrived at the area of Cleveland Avenue and Dillman Avenue in response to multiple 911 calls.

Police said that callers reported seeing a shirtless man discard a firearm while running near nearby train tracks. Officers arrived at 718 Garnsey Avenue, where they found a man, 29, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his ankle, which is believed to be self-inflicted.

Officers also found the woman, 36, and the 4-year-old child unresponsive outside in the backyard of the residence, also with apparent gunshot wounds.

Another boy, 8, with special needs, was also found inside the residence, unharmed, in a bedroom. He was taken to St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department as a precaution.

Police believe that the woman was the mother of both children. A firearm was recovered at the scene. Spent shell casings were recovered and appeared to match the same firearm. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The Will Coroner's Office will determine their identities and cause of death.

The man was taken to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department and then transferred to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood under police guard. Police said his injury is non-life-threatening.

The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with video footage or information about the shooting is asked to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigation Division at 815-724-3020 or the Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org if they wish to remain anonymous.