DECATUR - Four teenagers have been arrested by Decatur police on weapons charges after an investigation into gunshots led to the discovery of a stolen sawed-off shotgun in the vehicle in which the four were riding.

The investigation began at 9:56 p.m. Wednesday, when a woman called police to say she had heard gunshots in the 500 block of West Sawyer Street, said police Sgt. Steve Chabak. The woman told officers she saw a group of teens, one with what appeared to be a gun, walking toward a convenience store at Monroe and Sawyer streets, he said.

When an officer went to the store, the owner allowed him to view surveillance video of the parking lot, which showed a black sport utility vehicle pulling up and four males matching the descriptions of the shooting suspects emerging, Chabak said. The officer also found blood on the parking lot, he said.

Dispatchers notified officers at the store that a teenager had shown up at Decatur Memorial Hospital with an injured hand, Chabak said. Other officers went to the hospital and found four teenagers who matched the descriptions of the young men observed in the gun fire incident, he said.

One of them, a 15-year-old boy, was being treated for a cut hand, Chabak said. Officers located a Ford Explorer in which the four had arrived at the hospital and, looking inside, observed the shotgun in plain view, he said.

The 17-year-old driver of the Ford told officers he knew nothing about the weapon, Chabak said.

That youth was released, but further questioning of the three male juveniles with him led police to issue a persons wanted bulletin for him, said police juvenile Sgt. Jason Walker.

The suspect was arrested Thursday evening for investigation of unlawful use of weapons and possession of a stolen firearm. Walker said the sawed-off shotgun was among a number of weapons taken during a Feb. 28 burglary of a house in the 300 block of South Woodale Avenue.

Residents in that area told police a group of teenagers had been knocking on doors. Officers believed that was an effort to find a house with no one at home that could be burglarized.

Walker said the 15-year-old was detained for investigation of unlawful use of weapons, reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. He said a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were detained on the reckless discharge and possession charges.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973.