Steger authorities are on the hunt for a suspect after a man was critically wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon. NBC Chicago reports that the incident took place around 4:30 p.m. near Kings and Richton roads, where responding officers from the Steger Police Department found a man in his 20s suffering from gunshot wounds on the ground.
The victim, identified as a University Park resident, was rushed to a local hospital and subsequently airlifted to a trauma center. He was listed in critical, but stable condition as of the following evening. Despite thorough search efforts, including the use of thermal imaging, which ended a short distance away from the scene, police have so far been unable to apprehend the suspect.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, a description of the suspect was provided by witnesses. They described seeing a Black man, of medium build, possibly in his 20s, wearing a gray jacket. He was last seen fleeing westbound on Richton Road. Despite deploying K-9 units, drones, and thermal imaging tech, the suspect remained at large.
Both reports have highlighted that the shooting appeared to be targeted and not a random act, with video footage and witness statements being reviewed by detectives on Saturday. The authorities are following up on "several leads" looking for any information that could lead to the suspect's arrest. Investigators, who believed the shooting was targeted, have urged anyone with information to contact the Steger Police Department at 708-755-0223 or the dispatch center at 708-754-8121.
