Minooka Man Charged In Evergreen Park Homicide

Charges have been filed against a 39-year-old man who police said stabbed a Chicago man to death at an Evergreen Park residence early Sunday morning.

The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charges of first-degree murder for Patrick J. Tantillo, 39, of the 1400 block of Plantain Dr. in Minooka, IL,

Evergreen Park police responded to a report of a stabbing around 1:04 a.m. Sunday, in the backyard of a residence in the 9300 block of South Spring Avenue where a party had been taking place.

Upon their arrival, officers found a gravely wounded Lucian Nicolaescu, 31, who had apparently been stabbed, police said.

Nicolaescu, of the 4900 block of Winthrop Avenue on Chicago’s North Side, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died several hours later.

Police said that both men had become involved in a verbal argument that escalated to violence. Tantillo was still on the scene when police arrived and was taken into custody. The weapon was recovered in a neighboring yard.

Tantillo is due to appear in bond court in Bridgeview on Tuesday.

The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force assisted Evergreen Park police detectives in the investigation.

A police booking photo was not available Monday.