Woman shot and killed in Morris, suspect in custody after search
MORRIS, Ill. (CBS) -- A woman is dead after being shot in Morris, Illinois Thursday evening, and the suspected shooter was later caught.
For hours, people were not allowed back into their homes as police investigated the quiet block where the shooting happened. Police credited technology for their ability finally to make an arrest.
The shooting took place in the 500 block of Twilight Drive in Morris, according to an alert from the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency sent just after 5:30 p.m.
The Grundy County Coroner's office said the victim, later identified as Beverley Lambert of Shorewood, IL, later died.
Following the shooting, dozens of officers with long guns drawn flooded a residential area of Morris, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago. They were actively searching for the shooter.
Neighbors were alarmed.
"When I say Morris is the epitome of small-town America, I mean it's the epitome of small-town America," said Al Seay, who lives near the crime scene. "Like, nothing like this ever happens."
The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency asked all residents in the area to stay inside their homes around 5:30 p.m. but lifted the "stay in place" order around 8 p.m.
"It was lockdown - shelter in place," said Lisa Kopeshke. "We can't enter our homes right now because they are doing an investigation."
When police arrived at the apartment building on Twilight Drive, a woman was found severely injured from the shooting.
Police said the victim's car was stolen by the suspected shooter — prompting a shelter-in-place for much of the area.
"An alert was put into the Flock system, which then gave us updates immediately as those license plates were detected," said City of Morris public information officer Stan Knudson.
License plate readers - also referred to as Flock security cameras - tracked the victim's car near Joliet. There, police caught up with the alleged shooter, who was behind the wheel.
"We have them around the city here at the entrance and exit to the city for this very reason," Knudson said. "Great use of police work and technology coming together, and hopefully bringing this suspect into custody."
A 16-year-old was arrested for first-degree murder, according to the Morris Police Department.
He has since been transported to the River Valley Detention Center.
Officials in Morris did not provide further details on the nature or possible motive behind the shooting.