Arrow points to the approximate location of the attempted burglary/alleged shooting/stabbing
HARRISBURG, Ill. - Two males are in custody following a reported shooting event that came about after an interrupted burglary in Harrisburg.
We have the identity of one of the two but are holding it pending issuance of formal charges...if, that is, they're charged as adults. It's being reported to us that both are juveniles.
Frankie Vazquez was injured last night after he heard a sound in a neighboring building and went outside his trailer, interrupting three black males who appeared to be breaking in to the building in the vicinity of Sloan Street between South Jackson and South Homer streets, this shortly after 9 p.m. last night (Monday, May 8).
One reportedly fired a shot; initially, we were told that the bullet struck Vazquez in the head (we've not learned where, exactly, the injury was), but we're now hearing that the three set upon him and that he may have been stabbed as opposed to shot (although some at the scene stated that the head injury was due to a bullet; we're sorting that out right now). Witnesses said at the scene last night that all three black males appeared to have blood on them when they ran; if Vazquez was stabbed in a sort of 'mob attack,' that'd explain how the three males had the blood on them.
It appeared at the scene that Vazquez was going to survive his injuries, but his condition is unknown as of this morning.
Interestingly, the house on South Jackson to which the three suspects ran is reported to be the residence of Shirley Hamilton, mother of local crims Ian Hamilton and Xzavier Gibbs.
There were three youngsters in the home at the time the black males were said to have run there. One, a 3-year-old baby girl, was taken out at about 10 p.m. by her mother, Vanessa Gooch, who arrived on scene and was escorted up to the house.
One other child was taken from the house at about 10:20; we've not learned of when/how the third child was taken out, but all three children were reported last night as being safe and sound.
Authorities made entry into the home at about 11:30 p.m.
It's reported that one of the suspects went willingly with the cops at that time; a second is reported to have given himself up sometime later. There's been no word on the third.
We are collecting information on this incident and will be right up until press time Sunday; this will be in the next print edition, on stands Tuesday May 16 and Wednesday May 17. Be sure your online membership to the e-Edition is up to date, as well as your print sub if you receive the paper in the mail (and please check on elderly friends and relatives who have print subscriptions, as they might not have noticed that there's an orange highlight on their expiration date, meaning that's the last issue they'll get if they don't renew). You can renew easily through your PayPal at this link.
If you have any information or concerns about this incident and/or the people involved, feel free to message us at our Facebook page or email us at admin@disclosurenewsonline.com. The ongoing acts of violence in the city are being taken very seriously, as evidenced by the presence of Mayor John McPeek and Police Commissioner Beth Montfort last night at the scene. There's a city council meeting this Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at city hall. You are encouraged to attend and express your views.