The Will County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday released the names of the two people killed by gunfire during a Halloween Party early Sunday morning in Joliet Township.
Holly Matthews and Jonathan Ceballos, both 22 of Joliet, were pronounced dead at 3:45 a.m. Oct. 31 in the 1000 block of Jackson Street in Joliet Township. “Both subjects appeared to be victims of a homicide,” according to the statement from the coroner’s office.
Nine others at the party also were injured by gunfire and taken to area hospitals. As of Tuesday, one male victim remained in critical condition, two others were being treated for non-life-threatening injuries and six remaining victims had been released, police said.
Will County Sheriff’s detectives continue to search for partygoers who attended the Halloween Party at 1018 E. Jackson Street, Joliet. Detectives have currently interviewed more than 70 individuals. “Most have been cooperative with some refusing to cooperate,” according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Department. “With the assistance of witness statements, videos, and tips, detectives are aware that several additional individuals that were there have not come forward. Detectives are actively looking for these individuals, so the Sheriff’s Office is urging every person who was there to come forward.”
Detectives also continue to cultivate leads as they sift through a substantial amount of electronic media in hopes of developing further evidence to capture and arrest the offenders of the shooting.
The hosts of this party initially invited some friends over for a costume party, according to police. The invitation spread over social media, which led to several attending who were unknown to the host or other invitees. Sheriff’s detectives have confirmed that the hosts were not gang affiliated and the deceased victims were merely innocent partygoers.
At Tuesday’s Joliet City Council meeting, Mayor Bob O’Dekirk stressed that the party happened outside of the city limits in Joliet Township. He commended Joliet police, firefighters, and paramedics for assisting at the scene and sent his condolences to the victims and their families.
Councilwoman Bettye Gavin said her prayers are out there for the shooting victims and their families. “We just want our community safe and the only way we’ll be able to do that is by all of us working together. I say to these perpetrators, ‘your time is ending and we’re coming for you’.”
Councilman Cesar Guerrero said “it’s difficult for us not to think about the families of Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos who were tragically lost to us over the weekend. Our condolences go out to the families.”
Guerrero added that Joliet Township High School, the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center and Guardian Angel Community Services are also grievance counselors for anyone that might be struggling to cope with the shootings.
A patrol sergeant with the Will County Sheriff’s Office heard 10 to 12 gunshots being fired at 12:39 a.m. on Oct. 31 in the area of Jackson Street and Walnut Street in Joliet Township. The sergeant responded to the area of gunfire and observed over one hundred people fleeing, running eastbound on Jackson Street. The sergeant then proceeded on foot to the area of Jackson Street and Grinton Avenue, where he believed the gunfire to be coming from. The sergeant was advised by fleeing witnesses that the shooting occurred at 1018 E. Jackson Street in the backyard of the residence.
Additional sheriff’s office personnel and outside police agencies responded to the scene, and responding personnel located multiple individuals shot in the backyard and at nearby houses. Initial responding personnel began performing life saving measures and wound triage on numerous individuals on scene. While sheriff’s office personnel were on scene, additional shots were heard in the immediate area.
Responding deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were able to determine that a Halloween party was being held at a residence located at 1018 E. Jackson Street in Joliet Township. The shooting occurred outside the residence near a DJ booth that was set up in the backyard. Initial estimates indicate that there was close to 200 people attending the party.
Witnesses indicated to detectives that there were two shooters at the party. The shooting occurred from an elevated position on a porch looking down over the crowd. The first shooter is described as an average sized, Hispanic Male with facial hair, wearing a red hoodie, a black flat billed hat, and dark pants. The second shooter is described as an average sized, light-skinned black male or Hispanic wearing a yellow hoodie and ski mask.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking every person who was in attendance of this party to call (815) 727-8574 to speak with a detective or submit a tip at willcosheriff.org.
