Dolton shooting: 4 hospitalized after apparent crash, shootout at south suburban Auto Zone

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A wild scene on Sibley Boulevard ended in the parking lot of an Auto Zone in Dolton on Wednesday morning.

Two badly-damaged cars show the aftermath of an apparent shootout. A silver car sustained several bullet holes, and the windows were busted out of both vehicles.

Dolton police converged on the scene at 1110 West Sibley Boulevard, assisted by Illinois State Police and other municipalities, roping off most of the block.

Saul Mazom said he saw most of the scene unfold, saying one of the cars hit the other.

Four people were hospitalized after an apparent crash and shootout at a south suburban Auto Zone on Wednesday.

"Thank God I was not walking through here when it happened, you know?" Mazom said. "That vehicle was flying and hit another vehicle, and they all came inside the parking lot of the Auto Zone."

Mazom said the two cars were headed west on Sibley when they reached the Auto Zone, and at least five people from both cars jumped out and exchanged gunfire. It caused patrons of businesses across the street to duck for cover.

Israel Martinez said he and other employees at the Hoagie Place were getting ready to open when they heard knocking on the door.

"I'm like, 'Why is there a lady knocking on the door?' Ah, it's just a customer. Then I see she's on the car, she's trying to cover herself, and then she started running. I'm like, 'Why are they running?'" Martinez said.

The Dolton Fire Department said four people were transported to hospitals with injuries.

In the meantime, Auto Zone employees reporting for work were told to go home. The business is closed for the day as investigators comb through an extensive crime scene from car parts in the street to several evidence markers in the parking lot.