Update: Three Men Shot, Wounded Couple In Forest Preserve Near Niles, Police Say

UPDATE:

Three men shot a 27-year-old homeless man and his 24-year-old girlfriend Wednesday night in a forest preserve on Caldwell Avenue just north of Oakton Street, according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. The forest preserve is across the street from Niles homes. 

The three men approached the homeless couple near the tent they were occupying in the Miami Woods forest preserve Aug. 21 at around 10 p.m., according to a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. 

The three got into an argument with the homeless man, and one of them pulled out a handgun and shot both the male and female victim in the hands, then fled the area.  Each of the victims was wounded on one hand, the spokeswoman said. The injuries were not life threatening.

The male victim was able to walk to his vehicle, which was parked outside the forest preserve, drive through a cable gate into the forest preserve, pick up the female victim and drive them both to a hospital for treatment, according to the spokeswoman.

The Cook County Forest Preserve Police initially responded, but turned the investigation over to the Cook County Sheriff's Police, who are pursuing the case. Niles police also assisted.

Police searched the area for the suspects, but did not find them.

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