18 Murder Charges In Joliet Halloween Party Mass Shootings

JOLIET, IL —Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley announced that murder charges were filed Wednesday against 18-year-old Joskar Ramos, 21-year-old Thomas Lopez and Lopez's 19-year-old brother Jeremy Lopez. The three are charged in the Halloween party mass shooting that happened during the early morning hours of Oct. 31 at 1018 East Jackson St.

The east-side of Joliet shootings killed Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos, and left several others seriously injured. Bail for Ramos and the two Lopez brothers was set at $10 million each by Will County Judge Dave Carlson.

“This was a true team effort by everyone at the Will County Sheriff’s Office that helped play a part in this investigation," Kelley said in Wednesday night's press release. "This tragic incident could not have been solved without the help of the public, so I want to thank those that came forward with information. Every member within the Criminal Investigations Division at the Will County Sheriff’s Office have worked tirelessly for months, in conjunction with the State’s Attorney’s Office to help bring these thugs to justice. Now that these criminals are behind bars, Will County is now safer than it was the day before."

Ramos, who lived on Joliet's Gael Drive, has been in the Will County Jail facing unrelated charges since his arrest Nov. 5. On Tuesday, Thomas Lopez and Jeremy Lopez were arrested at different addresses in Joliet and in Lockport Township.

The Will County Jail logs listed both Lopez brothers as residing in the 100 block of Joliet's Clement Street.

The Lopez brothers are Vice Lord gang members, and have extensive weapons histories, authorities said.

According to the sheriff's office:

Joskar Ramos is being charged with six counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, five counts of aggravated battery with a gun, aggravated discharge of a gun, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Thomas Lopez is being charged with six counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, five counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Jeremy Lopez is being charged with six counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, five counts of aggravated battery with a gun, aggravated discharge of a gun, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Related Patch coverage: Halloween Party Murder Defendants Need $1 Million Cash For Bail