Man Dies Of Gunshots To Chest In Channahon Domestic: Police

CHANNAHON, IL — Channahon Police announced that a 73-year-old man, James Darden, has died of gunshot wounds to his chest following a domestic disturbance early Monday afternoon at a brick house in the 25,200 block of Fryer Street. A 53-year-old woman who lived at the house was treated at the Amita Health Saint Joseph Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries as a result of being pistol-whipped, police said. The incident happened around 12:40 p.m.

"Channahon Police have been called to the residence on previous occasions for domestic related calls for service," police said Monday evening in a press release revealing key details surrounding the call.

"As officers were responding to the area, gunfire was reported and the female who had been injured had fled the scene," Deputy Chief of Police Adam Bogart indicated. "When officers arrived, a male, identified as James Darden, age 73, was found in the back yard of the home with gunshot wounds to the torso."

Darden later died at the hospital in Joliet.

"The female victim, age 53, who had previously fled the scene and suffered blunt force trauma to her head, was also transported by Channahon Fire Protection District personnel to Amita St. Joseph Medical Center and treated for non-life threatening injuries. A handgun was recovered from the scene," police said.

Neighbors told Patch that the two had owned the house at the corner of Fryer and Story for approximately eight years.

Channahon said it is working with the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force and that "witnesses from both inside the home and neighboring residences have been interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing."