Joliet's 6th Murder Victim In 2023 Identified By Coroner

JOLIET, IL — A 23-year-old motorist lost his life during a homicide that happened just before supper time on Wednesday. Joliet police said the murder happened around 4:30 p.m. on the city's east side. On Thursday, Will County Coroner Laurie Summers identified the homicide victim as Miguel Mendoza.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English announced:

• Officers responded to Second Avenue and Baker Avenue for numerous calls of shots fired. Officers spotted an SUV that appeared to have struck a parked vehicle in the 100 block of Baker Avenue.
• Inside the SUV was an unresponsive 23-year-old man in the driver’s seat. He sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and arm.
• The shooting victim was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department, where he died.
• While officers were still on the scene of this homicide, they learned that a 16-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg was delivered to the Silver Cross Hospital emergency room by private vehicle.
• "It is believed the juvenile’s gunshot injury may be related to this shooting; however, this is still under investigation. An extensive canvas of the area was completed, and detectives immediately initiated an investigation into the shooting," English said.

If anyone has information related to this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigation Unit at 815-724-3020. They can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or online at https://crimestoppersofwillcou...