Andy & Sophie's Shooting: Attempted Murder Charges Filed

JOLIET, IL — A 35-year-old Joliet-area man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a near-fatal shooting outside Andy & Sophie's Bar on Friday, Jan. 31. A warrant is out for the arrest for Matthew Ramones, who has a long criminal record at the Will County Courthouse, files show.

The criminal complaint, submitted by Joliet Police Detective Jeff German, indicates Ramones shot a man and caused disability or permanent disfigurement to his victim. The shooting happened late last Friday night in the 900 block of North Hickory Street. Joliet Police were forced to block the street and put up crime scene tape around the perimeter of the business.

Four additional charges, aggravated battery with a firearm, state that Ramones shot his victim and the first shot was distinct from gunshots two, three and four.

The sixth criminal charge is unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon. And the seventh and eighth charges against Ramones are for aggravated unlawful use of weapon.

Ramones was not in the Will County Jail's custody as of Thursday afternoon, Feb. 6.

Will County Circuit Judge Daniel Kennedy has set bail at $2 million. Court documents listed Ramones' most recent address as the 5800 block of Emerald Point Drive, a Plainfield mailing address.

In 2005, Ramones was convicted in Will County of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. His victim in that crime was between the ages of 13 and 16, court files reflect.

At that time, Ramones lived in the 500 block of Joliet's North Broadway Street. He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment at the Illinois Department of Corrections and given good time credit for spending 142 days in jail, court records show.

Feb. 1 Patch Article: Andy & Sophie's: Man In Critical Condition After Shooting