Overnight Joliet Murder Victim Identified: Officer Assigned To Anthony's Pub Heard Gunshots

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department is investigating its first murder of the month after a fatal shooting early Sunday near Anthony's Pub. The Will County Coroner's Office has identified the homicide victim as Aaron Vidales.

Back in 2016, Vidales was charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm without an owner’s identification card, Joliet Patch reported at the time.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 1:51 a.m., an officer in the area of Anthony’s Restaurant and Pub at 3151 Voyager Lane heard multiple gunshots coming from the
nearby Dollar Tree parking lot at 2900 Colorado Avenue. Officers immediately responded and found a 31-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken by the Joliet Fire Department to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead

English said the officers secured the scene and conducted a canvass of the area. Officers recovered multiple spent shell casings and a handgun in the parking lot. It was also determined that two unoccupied vehicles and the south side of Rise Dispensary, 2903 Colorado Avenue, were struck by gunfire.

"This investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the events leading up to the shooting and a possible motive. No one is currently in custody. The victim’s identity, as well as the official cause and manner of death, will be determined by the Will County Coroner’s Office," English said.

He said that anyone with video footage or information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigations Division at 815-724-3020. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org.