WCSO: HALLOWEEN PARTY MASS SHOOTING - UPDATE

Press release from the Will County Sheriff's Office:

Kathy

November 1, 2021

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into a mass shooting that occurred on 10/31/2021 around 12:30am at 1018 E. Jackson Street in Joliet Township. Sheriff’s detectives have learned that the residents of this home initially invited friends for a Halloween party using a social media site.  The invitation spread over social media, which attracted multiple individuals to attend who had no association to the hosts of the party.

It should be known that it is not uncommon to receive numerous noise complaints on weekends and especially holiday weekends in the unincorporated areas of Joliet Township. The Sheriff’s Office did not receive any calls for service originating from 1018 E. Jackson Street on October 30 or 31, up until the time of the shooting.  The Sheriff’s Office did receive three noise complaint calls and were already in the area at the time of the calls.  Due to the complaints, the area Sergeant remained in the vicinity and was able to respond to the scene immediately upon hearing the first gunfire.  The immediate response was instrumental to a rapid medical aid response.

Multiple gunshots were fired during the incident.  It appears that this incident was gang related.  Detectives have collected a substantial amount of evidence and are continuing to interview witnesses.  Some victims and partygoers are being uncooperative.

Nine people were transported to area hospitals by emergency personnel.  The victims suffered various injuries from fleeing the scene and gunfire.  Sheriff’s detectives have spoken with medical professionals at the hospitals this morning.  The conditions of the injured victims are as follows:  one victim remains in critical condition.  Five victims have been treated and released. Three victims remain in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  As initially reported,  two individuals died from gunshot wounds; a female and a male, both 22 years of age.

 Sheriff’s detectives are advising that multiple personal items have been recovered from the scene.  If any attendee is looking to recover their property, please call the Sheriff’s Office Evidence Unit at 815-727-4736.  An appointment is needed.   

At this time, the Sheriff’s Office is asking every person who was in attendance of this party to call 815-727-8574 to speak with a detective.   Detectives are seeking any video, individual social media communications, or any bit of information that may assist them in this investigation.  You may also Submit a Tip at www.willcosheriff.org.

The ultimate responsibility of this crime falls on the offenders.  With the amount of attendees at this party, we are most certain that several people know who committed this atrocious and deadly shooting.  The Sheriff’s Office is imploring those people to come forward in order to bring justice to the survivors, deceased victims, and their families.

Additional information will be provided when appropriate.

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Media contact person:  Public Information Officer, Kathy Hoffmeyer

                                      [email protected]

This press release was produced by the Will County Sheriff's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.