Donnell Pelts lives near the Grand Crossing home in the 7400-block of South Kenwood Avenue, where the children were found wounded around 1:45 p.m.
"You know, it's kind of sad that this stuff happens in our communities, and it's very devastating," Pelts said.
The two boys were shot near 78th and South Escanaba in South Shore, more than two miles from the home, while traveling in a dark-colored Kia.
A 12-year-old boy was shot in his stomach and a 14-year-old boy was shot in his buttocks, police later clarified.
That Kia was later found abandoned near the house with the back window blown out. The shots, police said, coming from someone in another vehicle, described as a black sedan.
"It's just sad. Now, I know the situation, and I feel like breaking down, because these kids, they're the future," Pelts said.
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The 12-year-old was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in good condition, police said. The 14-year-old was transported to the same hospital in serious condition.
Hours later, that SWAT standoff unfolded just a couple blocks from where police said the boys were shot.
Police were called to that location for a person wanted in possession of a stolen vehicle possibly used in the boys' shooting.
A juvenile and adult, police said, were arrested without incident at that scene. Police are now investigating whether they're connected to the shooting.
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