Will County Solves Meridian Drive Murder Attempt, Home Invasion

JOLIET, IL - On Thursday evening, the Will County Sheriff's Department announced that Christopher G. Gills, 39, of Houma, Louisiana, was arrested in connection with the October 28 non-fatal shooting of a Joliet Township woman at 2411 Meridian Drive. Gills is being charged with attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault. Gills was arrested on a warrant out of Will County carrying a $1 million bond.

As Patch readers may recall, October 28 was a Saturday, and shortly before 9 a.m., the Will County Sheriff’s Department's crime scene unit was called to 2411 Meridian Drive in unincorporated Joliet Township. Sheriff's deputies found 35-year-old Stephanie Evans of Joliet on a bedroom floor and she was covered in blood, the sheriff's department revealed.

"Several puncture type wounds were visible to deputies along with various other injuries. It was later learned that Stephanie had been shot several times, both in the head and in the abdomen," the Will County Sheriff's Department announced on Thursday night.

RELATED: Joliet Woman Shot In Face On Meridian Drive

That morning, the Joliet woman's attacker got away before authorities arrived. He was on the loose for the past several weeks.

Meanwhile, Will County's sheriff's detectives continued to work on the case.

"Through various interviews, detectives were able to identify a person of interest in the case. The victim and the offender had a previous dating relationship approximately six months prior. Numerous subpoenas and search warrants were issued to further the investigation," sheriff's officials announced.

As the attempted murder investigation unfolded, Will County police "were able to place the offender, Christopher Gills at or near the scene when the attack took place. At the time of the violent attack, the offender was armed and wearing a ski mask. The ski mask was left on scene, and collected. The mask was sent to a crime lab to be analyzed for forensic evidence. The ski mask contained DNA that was a match for Christopher Gills."

On Thursday, Will County detectives were in Houma, Louisiana to capture Gills and interview him.

"With the assistance of the Houma Police Department, Christopher Gills was taken into custody without incident. The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be provided at the appropriate time."

For now, Gills is being held in Louisiana at the Houma Police Department pending extradition.

Mugshot of Christopher Gills via Will County Sheriff's Department