Teen Shooting Victim IDed, 15-Year-Old Charged With Murder

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old Joliet teen in the 600 block of Chase Avenue, according to the police department's Facebook page. The investigation led to the arrest of a 15-year-old, who police accuse of shooting the fatal shot.

On Sunday at around 6:15 a.m., police responded to a call of shots fired on Chase. They found the shooting victim, 17-year-old Alejandro Mendoza of Joliet, in a vehicle near Elwood and Creed.

Mendoza was transported to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox before being airlifted to Loyola Medical Center, where he died, police said.

In investigating the shooting, police found a home on the 600 block of Chase with bullet holes and recovered a loaded firearm, police said. Officers took the 15-year-old into custody after police determined he was the shooter.

The teen was being held at River Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

A spokeswoman for the Will County States Attorney’s Office told the Herald-News the 15-year-old is now charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. Initially, the teen was charged with:

• aggravated battery with a firearm
• aggravated unlawful use of a weapon
• defacing ID marks of a firearm
• unlawful possession of ammunition
• no FOID

Police are asking the public's assistance in investigating the shooting. Any residences and businesses in the area are asked to share any surveillance footage which may add to their understanding of the shooting. They ask for footage between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

The area of focus is from east of Collins Street to the rail yard and between Williamson Avenue and Jackson Street.

People with footage, or any other information, are asked to contact Detective Michael Cagle at 815-724-3035 or the Investigation Unit at 815-724-3020. People with information who wish to remain anonymous can contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or by clicking the link.