Joliet Central Student's Murder: Joliet Police Obtain Warrant For Juvenile's Arrest As Adult

JOLIET, IL — More than three weeks after a Joliet teenager lost his life several hours after being hospitalized at St. Joe's with stab wounds, the Joliet Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant to take another 17-year-old into custody.

Joliet Patch found the newly filed first-degree murder charges for Jae'Vion Smith on Thursday at the courthouse. Smith lives in the 1800 block of Delrose Street in Joliet, which is near Essington Road and Thomas Hickey Drive.

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The warrant lists Jae'Vion as black, 5-foot-4 and 109 pounds. He won't turn 18 until October.

The criminal complaint alleges that Smith killed another Joliet teenager, Javion Bailey, on May 3 by stabbing Javion with a knife, "knowing such act created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to Javion Bailey, thereby causing the death of Javion Bailey."

Thursday's warrant was obtained by Joliet police detective Jason Wolski, court papers show.

According to the obituary shared by Joliet's Minor-Morris Funeral Home, Javion Bailey, age 17, died on May 4 at St. Joseph Hospital. "Javion was a junior at Joliet Central High School, where he was known for his infectious laugh and kind heart. He was deeply passionate about basketball, video games, and music. He cherished spending time with his best friends, Jarvais Reeves, Jaheim Reeves, and Massiah Morrow, along with his special cousins, Ruben Porter Jr., Shanitra Kuykendoll, and Monasia Barnes. Javion was also a part of the Illinois Youth and Family Program," his obituary noted.

Earlier this month, Joliet Patch reported that, according to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 12:55 p.m., officers responded to the Riverwalk Homes Apartments in the 300 block of North Broadway Street for a daytime stabbing. The officers found a 17-year-old boy on the fifth floor of 366 N. Broadway St. who had sustained a serious stab wound. The victim was transported by the Joliet Fire Department to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he later died.

English said the officers secured the scene and conducted a canvass of the area. A knife was recovered at the scene, English revealed.

On Thursday afternoon, English issued an updated press conference confirming that Jae’vion Smith is now being charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a bill of indictment by a Will County Grand Jury for the
stabbing death of the 17-year-old on May 3, at 366 North Broadway Street.

English pointed out how Smith was originally held at the River Valley Justice Center on previous charges of aggravated battery.

"Due to the level of criminal offense, Smith will be charged as an adult," English declared.