Update: Three Men Shot And Wounded Couple In Forest Near Niles, Police Say

UPDATE:

Three men shot a 27-year-old homeless man and his 24-year-old girlfriend Wednesday night in a forest preserve on Caldwell Avenue just north of Oakton Street, according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. The forest preserve is across the street from Niles homes. 

The three men approached the homeless couple near the tent they were occupying in the Miami Woods forest preserve Aug. 21 at around 10 p.m., according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. 

The three got into an argument with the homeless man, and one of them pulled out a handgun and shot both the male and female victim in the hands, then fled the area.  Each of the victims was wounded on one hand, the spokeswoman said. The injuries were not life threatening.

The male victim was able to walk to his vehicle, which was parked outside the forest preserve, drive through a cable gate into the forest preserve, pick up the female victim and drive them both to a hospital for treatment, according to the spokeswoman.

The Cook County Forest Preserve Police initially responded, but turned the investigation over to the Cook County Sheriff's Police, who are pursuing the case. Niles police also assisted.

Police searched the area for the suspects, but did not find them.

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ORIGINAL STORY

Two people were shot Wednesday night around 10 p.m. in the Cook County Forest Preserve District's Miami Woods, on Caldwell Avenue just north of Oakton Street. The area is across the street from residential homes in Niles.

The two victims both had gunshot wounds, but their injuries were minor enough that they were able to drive to a hospital, said a spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Office, which is handling the investigation.

She had no further details, but expected more information to be forthcoming. If it does, Patch.com will provide updates.

The Forest Preserve District police responded initially, and the Niles Police Department also provided assistance, but referred inquiries to the county.

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