Friend reportedly drove Belleville shooting victim to hospital, police say

The man who died of gunshot wounds Monday night was driven to the hospital by a friend, according to reports made to police.

Few other details have emerged in the death of Cole Wierciszewski, 18, who arrived at Memorial Hospital about 5:17 p.m. Monday with a gunshot wound to the chest. He died about a half hour later and the Major Case Squad was activated to investigate his death.

"We are still looking for any associates of the victim who may have knowledge of Cole Wierciszewski’s murder," said Capt. Bruce Fleshren, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad in a statement. Fleshren said he could not speculate as to a motive or how many people may have been involved.

"It has been reported to the police that Cole was found by a friend and transported to Memorial Hospital by private vehicle," Fleshren said. "We do not know if there were others at the house at 141 Paulette Drive at the time or not."

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department at 618-825-5204.

Elizabeth Donald: 618-239-2507, @BNDedonald

This story was originally published February 13, 2018 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Friend reportedly drove Belleville shooting victim to hospital, police say."