Little Boy, Mom Murdered In Joliet: Chief Bill Evans Says Gunman Is Under Police Guard At Loyola

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans held a Sunday afternoon press conference at the police station, revealing that the gunman who ended the lives of a 4-year-old boy and the child's 36-year-old mother is now being guarded by police officers at the Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.

The chief said the gunman sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his lower leg following Sunday morning's killings of the mother and child. Joliet police said both gunshot victims were found dead at the scene.

The killer subsequently shot himself outside in the snow, near the railroad tracks of the old EJ&E Railroad, along Ward Avenue. The slayings happened at 718 Garnsey Ave., the chief announced.

According to Chief Evans, the gunman was not married to the woman who was killed, and was not the father of the 4-year-old boy who was fatally shot. Additionally, the gunman was not the father of an 8-year-old child with special needs who Joliet police found unharmed in one of the bedrooms.

Chief Evans said the killings happened outside the house, in the backyard of the residence.

He said neighbors heard lots of gunfire and called 911 around 6:55 a.m. Joliet police found a shirtless man, the suspected killer, near the train tracks just before 7:20 a.m.

The gun used in connection with the shootings was found in the vicinity as well, according to Evans.

Evans said that Joliet police's double murder suspect is 29 years old, and Joliet police are still trying to sort out his relation to the victims and the house on Garnsey Avenue.

"We believe he was a part-time resident there," Evans remarked.

Joliet police said they had not had any prior domestic disturbances at that location; however, it appears the family members involved in the shooting had only lived there for about one month.

As for the motive, "it does appear perhaps to be some type of domestic," Chief Evans shared.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the victims will be identified by the Will County Coroner's Office and that his agency will continue to keep the shooting suspect under police guard at the Loyola Medical Center in Maywood until he no longer requires hospitalization.

Chief Evans said the shooter's gunshot wounds do not appear to be life-threatening at this point.