2 Dead In 'Targeted' Attack Outside Kankakee Courthouse: Police

Chicago IL

26 August, 2021

12:50 PM

Description

KANKAKEE, IL — Two people are dead and at least one other person is injured after a shooting outside the Kankakee County Courthouse on Thursday morning, officials told Patch. At least two people were also in custody in what police called a "targeted" attack. The incident happened around 9:45 a.m. between the courthouse on 450 E. Court St. and the county jail. The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post the scene has been secured, but local traffic has been diverted. Kankakee and Bourbonnais schools were still on lockdown as of Thursday afternoon, according to teachers within the buildings. All Kankakee city offices were closed as well, and the courthouse will remain closed for the day. Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater confirmed "several" people are in custody in connection to the shooting. Police said one person surrendered to a Momence police officer who happened to be at the courthouse, and a second suspect who fled was caught and taken into custody, ABC7 reported. Police told reporters the shooting was a gang-related "targeted" attack and that both victims are men in their 20s. "I know this is a tragic event for the people of the city of Kankakee," Passwater said during a news conference. "We are going to do our best to solve it." Officials said they recovered multiple firearms from the scene. Police will hold another news conference later Thursday evening where they hope to give a "motive for the shooting," Passwater said. Anyone with information on the shooting can call the City of Kankakee Police Department at 815-933-0426 or the Crime Stoppers tip line at 815-932-7463. This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.