Police Chief Michael Baxton did not identify the victim but said he was taken to Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital stabilized and later transferred to a St. Louis-area hospital. He was in critical condition Thursday, Baxton said.
Police had just begun an investigation into the shooting at press time Thursday night.
"What we know now is the victim had been in a tan-colored Toyota or Chevrolet four-door vehicle," he said. Whether the car had Illinois or Missouri plates was unknown.
The victim was forced out of the car.
"The driver and a passenger inside the car pulled the victim out," Baxton said. "Witnesses said they saw the victim standing outside of the vehicle. They heard arguing then gunshots. They just opened fire on him."
Baxton said he does not know what they were arguing over.
Police will be working aggressively to locate the shooter, he said.
"We're serious about this gun violence in East St. Louis," Baxton said. "We're going to aggressively go after anyone who shoots a gun or commits other criminal acts of violence. We just will not tolerate the senseless violence."
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at csmith@bnd.com or 239-2503.
