16-year-old high school student shot, killed in Springfield
A 16-year-old Southeast High School student died of a gunshot wound to his lower torso Wednesday.
The shooting happened in the 2300 block of Taylor Avenue near Dreamland Park around 8:40 a.m.
Rachel Dyas, a spokeswoman from District 186, confirmed that the 16-year-old was from Southeast, though the boy's name has not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
Deputy Chief Sara Pickford said late Wednesday afternoon that SPD detectives were questioning multiple individuals considered to be persons of interest.
Warrants were being served in three locations and detectives had identified two vehicles involved in theincident, Pickford added.
Based on information SPD has, it "does not appear to be a random shooting," she said.
Pickford said ShotSpotter picked up the shot Wednesday, though there was also a call placed to Springfield Police.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell confirmed a deputy was a few blocks away and responded to the scene. The deputy was able to locate the victim and render first aid before first responders showed up, Campbell said.
Springfield Park Police also responded to the scene, Pickford said.
The victim was transported by ambulance to HSHS St. John’s Hospital where he was taken into surgery but did not survive, Pickford said.
Southeast High School and Ball Charter School in the area were placed on a "soft lockdown status" when the shooting was reported as a precautionary measure from SPD. That lockdown was lifted later Wednesday morning.
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Soft lockdowns require all staff and students to remain in the school building and entry to the school is further limited. School activities continue as normal within the school.
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff are paramount," Dyas said.
Dyas said the district's Crisis Response Team was supporting students and staff at Southeast for the remainder of the week.
The district will have extra patrols and security at Southeast and in the vicinity of Ball Charter and Southeast "for as long as needed," Dyas added.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time," a statement from the district read.
The district postponed the girls city track meet at Ray Ramsey Track and Field at Memorial Stadium along with other middle school and high school athletic contests, practices and after-school activities scheduled for Wednesday. Events scheduled for Thursday will be assessed after consultation with SPD, a news release said.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.
Anyone with information concerning this shooting is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at217-788-8311 and/or Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: 16-year-old high school student shot and killed in Springfield, Illinois