DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Two teens have been arrested after a shooting at Johns Hill Park Sunday evening left one person hospitalized, according to Decatur Police Chief Brad Allen.
Decatur police were called to the park on Sunday following reports of gunshots.
On Monday, Allen told WAND News the victim was taken to the hospital and was in stable but serious condition. Through the work of officers and detectives, police identified two suspects, arrested both and recovered two firearms.
Allen said the suspects are 15 and 17 years old.
While the investigation remains ongoing, Allen said police believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute that ultimately ended at Johns Hill Park.
"It appeared to be a feud or a problem that just flipped," he said. "It ended in the park ... That's just where the situation ended."
Allen said investigators are still working to determine exactly what led up to the shooting and are following additional leads. However, he said police have identified the people believed to have been involved and do not believe there is an immediate threat to people using the park.
Allen also stressed that he does not want Sunday's shooting to define Johns Hill Park, an area he said is heavily used by the community and has undergone revitalization.
"I don't want the one incident to identify the park," he said. "I want people to still feel safe to go down there."
The shooting is personal for local youth advocate Shemuel Sanders, executive director of The Shemilah Center. Sanders told WAND News the person who was shot was a young person he has mentored.
Sanders said he first learned about the shooting when a family member contacted him and told him the victim might be one of the young people he works with.
"When I found out it was, it was devastating," Sanders said. "Any youth that gun violence [impacts] or anything like that, it devastates me to hear about the violence that's going on in our city."
Sanders said incidents involving young people hit particularly hard because of the work he has dedicated himself to in Decatur.
"That's why I do what I do out here, to try to make a difference with these youth," Sanders said. "It affects me quite a bit to hear about any youth that gun violence or any kind of violence that occurred to them."
Sanders said his organization worked with around 75 young people over the summer, providing mentoring, a safe place to spend time, meals and educational opportunities.
However, he said funding cuts have made it more difficult for organizations working with young people to provide those services. Sanders said he has put some of his own money into his program and has had to find other funding sources to continue operating.
Following Sunday's shooting, Sanders said he would also like to see a conversation about having more supervision in Decatur parks, particularly while the weather remains warm and young people continue spending time outside.
"I just feel that maybe we need to come to the table to talk about how can we get some supervision in these parks?" he said.
Sanders said having additional adults and community leaders present could potentially help identify problems before they escalate and allow someone to contact police sooner.
He also had a direct message for young people considering violence, encouraging them to instead connect with mentors, education programs and other resources available in the community.
"If you're trying to take that route, turn it around," Sanders said. "My thing is getting into something that can help you."
Sanders also wants to see people in the community step up to financially support organizations, not just his, that support young people and provide outlets for them to flourish.
Allen said police are continuing to investigate the shooting despite the two arrests. He is asking anyone who was at Johns Hill Park or who may have information about what happened to contact police.
"A lot of times people don't know that just one little small bit of information may be all that we need to close some loop," he said. "This is a community effort."
The investigation remains ongoing.
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