Police say an 18-year-old man was transported to the hospital after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while handling an illegally possessed gun in Zion Thursday morning.
The Zion Police Department responded around 4 a.m. Thursday to the area of 27th Street and Hebron Avenue in Zion for a report of shots fired.
Zion Police Department Lt. Paul Kehrli said gunshot detection technology initially notified officers of the shooting.
Officers were in the area and then received a 911 call reporting someone had been shot.
Officers found an 18-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg in an apartment in the 2700 block of Hebron Avenue, Kehrli said.
The Zion Fire and Rescue Department was called to the scene and paramedics transported him to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Detectives met the man at the hospital and also secured the scene at the apartment building.
Kehrli said the man eventually became forthcoming and said he had accidentally shot himself.
Evidence at the scene corroborated the account and it is believed the gun was in his pocket when it was discharged.
Kehrli said it is unclear what exactly led to the negligent discharge. The man was staying at the property at the time but it is unknown if he permanently lives there.
He has since been treated and released at the hospital and charges are being filed against him for illegally possessing a gun.
The Zion Police Department has been conducting extra patrols in the area where the incident occurred due to two groups of people feuding, causing issues, Kehrli said.
The investigation into that case is ongoing but charges are expected at a later date.