Joliet man charged with armed violence, other felonies after neighbor shot

A 35-year-old Joliet man faces multiple felonies following a shooting Sunday morning, Joliet police said. Officers were called to an apartment building at 373 Western Ave. just before 9 a.m. Sunday for a report of a shooting, according to the Joliet Police Department. When officers arrived, they reported finding a 53-year-old man on the first floor of the building with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers reportedly provided medical assistance until paramedics arrived and took the man to the hospital in critical but stable condition. During the investigation, a Joliet officer said they learned that the shooting had allegedly taken place on the eighth floor, before the victim sought help from another tenant. Upon reaching the eighth floor, officers reported that they found another man, identified as Antonio Sims, with a laceration to his left hand and identified him as a suspect. Sims was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment of his injury, which police say they think happened during the altercation with the victim. 'Preliminary information indicates that Sims and the victim were known to each other and that the shooting may have occurred during a struggle between the two men,' police said. Further circumstances about the events leading to the shooting remain under investigation. During their search of Sims' apartment, detectives reportedly recovered a loaded 9-mm handgun which had been reported stolen in Aurora, and a substance suspected to be cocaine. After receiving medical care, Sims was taken to the Joliet Police Department. The Will County State's Attorney's Office has approved charges of armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and not having a firearms owner identification card. Sims is being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues. The Joliet Police Department has asked anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact its investigations division at 815-724-3020. People wishing to remain anonymous can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers.