Shots fired on Jefferson Street, man arrested with 3 weapons, FOID

JOLIET – West Jefferson Street is normally a quiet but busy thoroughfare during the day, but on Wednesday evening someone pulled out a gun and began shooting at other people.

The shooting incident led to the arrest of 42-year-old Julius Jenkins. The new inmate at the Will County Jail was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault and reckless conduct.

According to Joliet Police spokesman Dwayne English, these were the events that led to officers arresting Jenkins:

At 5:24 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1800 block of West Jefferson Street.

When officers arrived, they learned that a man had been observed firing a handgun at another man in the area and that the suspect subsequently fled the area in a pickup truck.

Officers encountered the victim and his girlfriend and learned that the victim's girlfriend's father, Jenkins, pulled up in a pickup truck in the parking lot next to them as they both walked through the Pep Boys parking lot at 1824 West Jefferson Street.

An argument ensued between Jenkins and the male victim. It is alleged that Jenkins pulled out a gun and shot the victim. The victim was not hit. Jenkins then fled the parking lot in the van.

Officers found Jenkins in the van near the intersection of West Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue. Jenkins was identified as the suspect who fired the gun and he was taken into custody without incident. During the search of Jenkins, officers recovered three guns.

Jenkins was found to have a valid FOID card and a license to carry a concealed weapon. Officers confiscated the FOID card after the arrest. No injuries were reported in this incident.