Bays Reacts To DCFS Shooting: 'They Feel It's A Disgruntled Customer'

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department confirmed that someone fired numerous gunshots into the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services offices at 1619 W. Jefferson St. early Saturday morning. Nobody was injured, and the shooter got away.

However, during a Tuesday afternoon interview, the owner of the Jefferson Centre plaza, businessman John Bays, told Patch it's his understanding that DCFS and Joliet police may have identified a suspect.

So far, however, no arrests have been made, police spokesman Dwayne English informed Patch.

"They feel it's a disgruntled customer," Bays said. "They're pretty confident they know who it is."

A handwritten sign in a window at the DCFS facility on Joliet's west side said it is temporarily closed.

“The top priority for the Department of Children and Family Services is the safety of its employees and the children and families we serve," Department of Children and Family Services director of communications Bill McCaffrey emailed Joliet Patch. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Joliet office is currently closed. Any other questions should be directed towards law enforcement.”

According to English, Joliet's officers learned of the gunshots at 2:22 a.m.

Joliet police discovered the front windows and doors of the DCFS building had been damaged by the gunfire. Officers recovered multiple spent shell casings in the parking lot, English said.

This is an active investigation in its early stages as Joliet Police Detectives work to identify a suspect or suspects, English indicated.

If anyone has information related to this crime, English asked that they contact the Joliet Police Department Investigation Unit at 815-724-3020. They can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or submit a tip online if they wish to remain anonymous.