ALTON, Ill. – Two teenagers are charged for a Feb. 26 shooting that police say targeted a kid exiting an Alton school bus.
Daniel Coalan, 18, and an unnamed 16-year-old suspect were charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm.
“It’s time for this to end. These are children and they need to have potential in life,” Jeffrey Sherwood said.
Sherwood lives near where the shooting took place on Central Avenue. When he heard gunshots, he ran out of his house to protect his son, who was out for a jog that night.
Alton Mayor David Goins condemned the recent violence that appears to be between feuding teenagers.
“It’s satisfying to know that these offenders have been brought to justice, but it’s also disheartening because I’m looking at two fairly young individuals whose lives have dramatically changed,” he said.
While police say there are no other suspects in the case, Sherwood believes there are up to 10 people responsible for at least three shootings on his street over the past couple of weeks.
Mayor Goins said teens do not need to use guns to solve petty differences.
“Reach out to someone. Reach out to your counselor. Reach out to your social worker,” he said.
Sherwood is talking to local organizations about ways the community can stop this type of violence. He thinks these arrests are a good first step.
“I’m hoping that the other ones involved with this will see and maybe change but honestly, with how crazy it’s been, I don’t think that they’re any signs that it’s going to slow,” he said.
Alton police are still asking for any information related to the case.