Two teens arrested for weapons charges in Bloomington

Posted on September 6, 2024

*^{The second teen, a 15-year-old, was arrested a short time later and he also allegedly had a handgun. (Photo courtesy: BPD/File)}*

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Two teenagers have been arrested and taken to the McLean County Juvenile Detention Center in connection with a shots fired incident from Thursday.

According to Bloomington police, officers were sent to the intersection of Washington and Howard streets at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday after several people called, saying they heard gunshots.

There were no reported injuries as a result of this incident, but property damage did occur, according to the department’s spokesman Bryce Janssen.

Officers went to a nearby apartment building and arrested an 16-year-old boy who allegedly had a handgun without a serial number. Those are known by police as “ghost guns” as they can’t be traced.

The second teen, a 15-year-old, was arrested a short time later and he also allegedly had a handgun.

The older teen faces one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon while the 15-year-old faces two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Said Police Chief Jamal Simington: “The community partnership is appreciated and sends a strong message that our residents will not tolerate violence and the safety of our community is at the forefront. A job very well done by everyone involved.”

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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