KEY POINTS

  • Two 16-year-old boys were shot by a man while the teens were allegedly attempting to steal a car in Hoffman Estates, Illinois
  • The teens later showed up at a hospital with gunshot wounds they claimed they got in a different location
  • The two were questioned as persons of interest in the Hoffman Estates carjacking

Two teenage boys were shot by a motorist while they were allegedly trying to carjack at a gas station in Cook County, Illinois, early Friday morning, police said.

The 16-year-old boys, whose identities have not been released, allegedly stole a vehicle at a Mobil station in suburban Hoffman Estates, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, citing police.

Authorities said an unnamed man, who had a valid concealed carry card, then took out a gun and fired shots at the stolen vehicle as the teens fled the scene, WGN-TV 9 reported. It was not clear if the man owned the vehicle.

The teens ditched the car a short distance from the scene, according to police. Both were gone by the time authorities arrived.

Less than two hours later, Chicago police said they were called to the Humboldt Park neighborhood on a report of a shooting. Two 16-year-old boys told police that they were shot at that location, but this claim turned out to be unfounded.

One of the boys suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and back. He was taken from West Suburban Hospital to Stroger in serious condition.

The other teenage suspect was shot in the leg but was reportedly in fair condition at West Suburban Hospital.

Chicago police were able to piece things together and determine that the incident took place in Hoffman Estates after questioning the two teens, who reportedly told them inconsistent stories.

The two were questioned as persons of interest in connection with the carjacking, according to Hoffman Estates Sgt. John Bending. It was not indicated if the person who shot them will face charges.

“I live down the street and I work right here,” neighbor Jennifer Emberton said of the incident. “It’s kind of scary.”

The incident comes days after a 21-year-old woman was carjacked at gunpoint in the Belmont Heights neighborhood of Chicago Tuesday night.

The incident reportedly happened as the woman was exiting her vehicle at the 3500 block of North Orange Avenue. Two men came up to her and demanded her belongings. One of the suspects put a gun to her neck, CBS Chicago reported.

The woman gave her mobile phone and purse to the men, who then sped away in her vehicle.

The victim was unharmed. No arrests have been made.

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