A rough Monday night on Aurora’s west side left a home sprayed with gunfire and two juveniles in the hospital, after police raced to two separate shootings just a few hours apart. Detectives are now canvassing for witnesses and surveillance video, and authorities say they do not believe there is any ongoing danger to the public as they work the cases.
Shots Strike Bonner Avenue Home
Just after 6 p.m., officers on patrol heard gunfire and followed the sound to the 1100 block of Bonner Avenue, where they found multiple shell casings scattered in the roadway. A nearby home had been hit several times, but everyone inside escaped injury, according to the Daily Herald. Authorities said ShotSpotter technology also picked up multiple rounds in the area, helping officers quickly zero in on the scene, per reporting from WGN-TV.
Car-to-Car Shootout Sends Juveniles To Hospital
Around 9:10 p.m., police say a red sedan and a dark-colored SUV were heading south on Douglas Avenue near Melrose when the SUV pulled alongside and someone inside opened fire. The driver of the sedan shot back before both vehicles sped away. Two juvenile passengers in the sedan were hit and taken to a hospital; one was airlifted in critical but stable condition and the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Investigators Are Searching For Suspects
Detectives are now looking for the dark-colored SUV and working to track down everyone involved. At this point, investigators say they do not believe the two shootings are related or that there is a broader threat to the public. Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas said, “These incidents reflect the serious risks associated with gun violence,” and praised officers for their rapid response as detectives work to identify those responsible, per WGN-TV.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division at 630-256-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000 or through p3tips.com/135. Crime Stoppers is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information that leads to arrests, according to local reporting.
Why This Matters
The back-to-back shootings land amid a busy and sometimes violent start to the year in Aurora, including an officer-involved shooting in late January that remains under review, highlighting ongoing public safety worries in the city, as reported by NBC Chicago. Police say both investigations are active and that more details will be released as they are confirmed.
