High Homicide Numbers in Joliet

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Joliet has seen a recent increase in gun violence and homicides within the past few months. According to the Joliet Patch, the city has had far more homicides during the first three months of this year than it did during the same period in 2018 and 2017. The most shocking Joliet murder of 2019 happened on Sunday night, March 24, inside Harrah's Casino Hotel when a senior citizen from a Milwaukee suburb was stabbed to death 26 times by a homeless man who slipped into the building and was overlooked by Harrah's security guards, according to courtroom testimony.

"Anytime a person unjustifiably takes the life of another, it is a tragic and heartbreaking loss for the families of the victim and for the community," Joliet Police Sgt. Chris Botzum informed Joliet Patch. "The Joliet Police Department investigates every homicide vigorously and relentlessly to find the person (or persons) responsible and to give justice to the victims."

According to the Joliet Patch, Botzum stressed that numerous people "have been put behind bars for these senseless acts, which has given closure to the victim's families. Unfortunately, not all families can have closure as their family member's case remains open." It's important for people to realize, Botzum explained, that "the Joliet Police Department cannot solve these investigations on their own."

The following are cases of violence that have occurred during the past two months in Joliet according to the Joliet Patch:

Wednesday, March 27 saw the death of 26-year-old Joliet resident Jakais Holman died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds around 7:45 p.m.

Monday, March 21 saw the death of 26-year-old Joliet resident Dimitri Allen who was fatally shot in the chest on The Hill and was found in a backyard of a house on Cutter Avenue.

Friday, March 22 was the day 87-year-old Joliet resident Teresa Collado died after suffering severe burns in the second-floor of her west side Joliet house located on Glacier Ridge Drive. Joliet Police arrested her grandson, William Vera, 32, and charged him with two Class X felonies of aggravated arson and three other felonies.

Thursday, February 28 saw the tragic shooting of three homicide victims: 28-year-old Jacquelon Gaskin, 6-year-old Gianna Lee, 1-year-old Giovanni Lee. They were killed by 34-year-old Brandyn Lee, who then shot himself, Joliet Police have said. Lee was the boyfriend of Gaskin and the father of the two small children.

Sunday, February was the day 27-year-old Eugene Holmes was fatally shot around 1:45 a.m. after a car pulled up to a house in the 400 block of South Ottawa Street and opened fire. Joliet Police found Holmes dead on the scene.

Thursday, February 21 saw the shooting of 13-year-old Javier Cayetano who suffered several gunshots. The shooting took place in the 300 block of South May Street and two other minors were shot and wounded. Cayetano was the only one who was fatally injured, and no arrests have been made in the shooting.