West Chicago Man Charged With Fatally Stabbing Man In Back

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago man faces murder charges after a man he was accused of stabbing in the back several times died. Joel Munoz-Valdez, 24, of the 700 block of South Oak Street, was originally charged with aggravated battery in connection with the Feb. 26 incident, but the charges were upgraded after the man, Luis Lopez, was later pronounced dead.

According to authorities, Munoz-Valdez went up to Lopez outside of a home in the 800 block of Brentwood in West Chicago on Feb. 26 and got into a verbal argument. The argument eventually got physical and police say Munoz-Valdez stabbed Lopez in the back and left leg "several times."

Lopez never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on March 6, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "I would like to commend the West Chicago Police Department for their quick identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case. I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Luis Lopez as they mourn this senseless loss of life."

Munoz-Valdez is set to appear in court again on April 8.