Joliet Mass Shooting: Some Victims, Witnesses Uncooperative

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Sheriff's Office announced that Sunday's mass shooting that left two people dead appears to be gang-related, and some of the gunshot victims and eyewitnesses don't want to cooperate with detectives trying to solve the crime.

According to the sheriff's agency, the people who live at 1018 East Jackson St. invited friends for a Halloween party using a social media site.

"The invitation spread over social media, which attracted multiple individuals to attend who had no association to the hosts of the party," sheriff's spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer indicated in Monday's lengthy news release. "The ultimate responsibility of this crime falls on the offenders. With the amount of attendees at this party, we are most certain that several people know who committed this atrocious and deadly shooting. The Sheriff’s Office is imploring those people to come forward in order to bring justice to the survivors, deceased victims, and their families."

Of the nine people taken to the hospital by ambulance, one remains in critical condition on Tuesday, two have non-life threatening injuries, and six people have been treated and released.

On Tuesday afternoon, Will County sheriff's officials announced that detectives have interviewed more than 70 people so far. "With the assistance of witness statements, videos, and tips, detectives are aware that several additional individuals that were there have not come forward," Will County announced. "Detectives are actively looking for these individuals. so the Sheriff’s Office is urging every person who was there to come forward."

Will County also announced that the party's hosts were not gang affiliated, and the two people who died "were merely innocent partygoers."

The two homicide victims were Holly Matthews and Jonathan Ceballos, both 22 and from Joliet.

According to ABC, Matthews was studying to be an arborist at Joliet Junior College and just got engaged two weeks ago. Ceballos was remembered by a friend as a talented athlete and straight-A student.

Monday's news release from the Will County Sheriff's Office addressed the issue of noise complaints made in connection with the large backyard party that attracted more than 200 people.

"It should be known that it is not uncommon to receive numerous noise complaints on weekends and especially holiday weekends in the unincorporated areas of Joliet Township," Hoffmeyer's news release stated.

"The Sheriff’s Office did not receive any calls for service originating from 1018 E. Jackson Street on October 30 or 31, up until the time of the shooting. The Sheriff’s Office did receive three noise complaint calls and were already in the area at the time of the calls.

"Due to the complaints, the area sergeant remained in the vicinity and was able to respond to the scene immediately upon hearing the first gunfire. The immediate response was instrumental to a rapid medical aid response."

Several personal belongings were recovered from the shooting scene. If any attendee is looking to recover their property, they are asked to call the Will County's Sheriff’s Office Evidence Unit at 815-727-4736.

At this time, the Sheriff’s Office said it is asking every person from the party to call 815-727-8574 to speak with a detective. Detectives are seeking any video, social media communications, or any bit of information that may assist them in this investigation. People can also submit a tip at www.willcosheriff.org.

Related Patch coverage:

Joliet Area Shootings For October: Here's Month In Review

Coroner Identifies Man, Woman Killed In Halloween Party Shooting