3 Recent Homicide Cases Solved By Joliet Police Detectives

JOLIET, IL — Wednesday's arrest of 41-year-old Tommie McDonald for the early morning fatal shootings of two Joliet men on South Chicago Street marks the third consecutive homicide case that resulted in a swift arrest by detectives at Joliet's Police Department.

Police said McDonald ran from the crime scene near Fifth Avenue and Chicago Street and was located by officers in the 200 block of Mississippi Avenue.

McDonald was booked into the Will County Jail around 5 p.m. in connection with the gunshot deaths of Bernard Marble, 53, and Tracy L. Williams, 45.

In addition to this week's double murder, the Joliet Police Department's investigations unit also has made arrests in the city's two other most recent homicide cases.

Around 12:05 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 17-year-old Jeremiah Frazier was shot in the head in the 200 block of Republic Avenue, near the Amita Saint Joseph Medical Center emergency room, after two cars opened fire on each other, firing about 12 rounds of bullets. Frazier died from his gunshot wound two days later at the hospital.

As a result of the deadly shootout on Republic Avenue, Joliet Police have made the following arrests:

Jeremiah Gavin, 22, unit block of East Clinton Street apartment units, Joliet, faces first-degree murder charges and two other felony charges and is being held on a $2 million bail.

Rasean Stokes, 18, 1400 block of Yarrow Drive, in Joliet's Forest Park area, faces first-degree murder charges and is being held on a $1 million bail.

Javontae Gray, 22, 600 block of Elmwood Avenue, Joliet, has been charged with reckless discharge of a gun, two counts of resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and aggravated discharge of a gun. Bail for Gray was set at $2 million.

Prior to the deadly shoot out near the city's west side hospital, Joliet's last homicide occurred in late December in the historic Cathedral area.

That Friday afternoon, on Dec. 20, 38-year-old Quentin Woods of Joliet was fatally shot on the sidewalk in the 800 block of Sherwood Place. A 35-year-old woman with Woods was shot in the stomach, but survived.

Matthew Rutledge, who lived on Sherwood Place, was arrested by Joliet Police detectives on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery in connection.

The 37-year-old Joliet defendant has remained in the Will County Jail since the early morning hours of Dec. 21.

His bail was set at $2.5 million, and Rutledge doesn't have sufficient funds to post 10 percent.

One other recent city of Joliet shooting is also worth highlighting.

The Friday night, Jan. 31, shooting outside of Andy & Sophie's Bar, which is now under new ownership, left a 31-year-old Joliet man critically injured.

In wake of that shooting in the 900 block of North Hickory Street, Joliet Police say they determined the shooter was 35-year-old Matthew Ramones, a former Joliet resident.

On Feb. 5, a bench warrant was issued by a Will County judge for Ramones' arrest on attempted murder charges, and his bail has been set at $2 million upon his capture.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account was established for the shooting victim, Elier Trujillo.

"He was shot four times and was in critical condition had to undergo surgery asap. Worst night of our life I tell you they didn't think he was going to make it but by the grace of God he made it out of surgery after 3 long hours he's stable but has permanent disfigurement and PTSD. He has a very long road of recovery," reads the GoFundMe called Recovery Funds For Eli.

Joliet police have not been able to locate the attempted murder suspect this month. Ramones has a long criminal record at the Will County Courthouse, files show.