Paralyzed At Halloween Party: Joliet Teen Still Faces 2021 Gun Charge

JOLIET, IL — Joliet criminal defense attorney Chuck Bretz doesn't see much point for the Will County State's Attorney's Office to continue with its efforts to prosecute teenager Sergio Hernandez for a Joliet drive-by shooting from February 2021.

Seven months after his release from jail, Hernandez was left paralyzed during the Joliet Halloween party mass shootings at 1018 E. Jackson St. The backyard house party shootings left about 10 people injured and two people died, Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos, both 22.

Hernandez has remained in the hospital for more than five months now.

"He's in bad shape," Bretz told Joliet Patch during Wednesday's interview at his law firm. "He's a quadriplegic, and he depends on a ventilator to breathe."

In February 2021, Joliet Patch reported that the 18-year-old Joliet resident was arrested by Joliet police after a gun was fired in the direction of another motorist shortly before noon Sunday. The shooting happened on the city's east side near Jackson Street and Garnsey Avenue.

Shortly after the shooting, Joliet police booked Sergio Hernandez into the Will County Jail on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and not having a FOID card.

"Officers met with a victim who claimed that he had been shot at. Further investigation determined that the victim was driving northbound in the 400 block of Garnsey Avenue, at which time an occupant from a passing vehicle fired one round at him," Joliet police reports show. Nobody was hit by the errant gunfire, police said at the time.

Following his arrest on Feb. 21, 2021, Hernandez stayed in the county jail for about 35 days. He got released from custody on March 24, 2021.

Jail records indicate his bail went from $75,000 to $5,000. He had also retained Bretz, Flynn & Associates to defend him on the two felony gun charges.

While free on bond, Hernandez got shot attending the backyard party at 1018 East Jackson St.

Three co-defendants now face 16 felony charges, including multiple counts of first-degree murder: Joskar Ramos, 18, and brothers Thomas Lopez and Jeremy Lopez.

Some of their criminal charges indicate Hernandez was their intended victim.

As for Hernandez, his felony gun charges from the February 2021 shooting on Garnsey Avenue have been called on the calendar for Courtroom 405 of Judge Dave Carlson several times since November. Court records indicate the case is still pending, while Hernandez remains hospitalized, as has been the case for more than five months.

Bretz told Joliet Patch he is not sure why Will County's prosecutors would still want to prosecute Hernandez at this stage due to his medical condition.

"Given the fact that he's never going to walk, given that he can't breathe on his own, I would hope the State would use their resources to prosecute other cases," Bretz remarked. "The guy can't even walk and breathe on his own or move his arms or legs."

On Friday, Joliet Patch left a message seeking comment from Carole Cheney, the spokeswoman for the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow.

She wrote back stating, "we will provide our response in court. Thanks for reaching out on it."

Bretz also told Patch he has provided the Will County prosecutors with lots of medical records showing the severity of his client's injuries from the Halloween party mass shooting.

At least 200 people were attending the backyard party when a hail of gunfire broke out.

"It appears that this incident was gang related," the Will County Sheriff's officials previously announced. The sheriff's office has also said that the two homicide victims, Jonathan Ceballos and Holly Mathews, were not involved with any gangs.

In January, Judge Carlson set bail at $10 million each for Ramos, Thomas Lopez and Jeremy Lopez. He also informed each of them they would spend the rest of their lives in prison, with no chance of parole, probation or conditional discharge, if they are convicted of their multiple first-degree murder offenses.

The Will County Sheriff's Office has said the Lopez brothers are known Vice Lord street gang members in Joliet. Ramos just turned 18 about a week before the shooting.

The Lopez brothers lived in the 100 block of Joliet's Clement Street. Ramos lived in the 900 block of Gael Drive, which is off Black Road.

Hernandez lives in the 300 block of Joliet's West Marion Street.

Related Patch coverage:

Shots Fired On Garnsey: Man Arrested By Joliet Police

3 Joliet Murder Defendants Deserve Life Sentences: Holly's Mother