Another Joliet Murder Solved By Joliet Police: Chicagoan Arrested

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department on Friday night announced that last week's east-side murder of 42-year-old Everett Cole has been solved with the arrest of 21-year-old Chicago resident Kendrick Pullen.

Pullen is now being kept in the Will County Jail. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

"Following a thorough investigation into the October 5, 2024, homicide of Everett Cole in the 800 block of Wenberg Street, Joliet Police Detectives quickly identified Pullen as a suspect," Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said on Friday night.

Pullen was riding in a vehicle that was stopped on Wednesday night, and he was brought to the Joliet Police Department for questioning. On Friday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Pullen and now he's being held in the Will County Jail.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Cole, who lost his life to such a selfish and unnecessary act of violence," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said. "The swift identification and apprehension of a suspect in this case is a direct result of the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by our detectives and officers. Their hard work in conducting an exhaustive investigation has brought a suspect into custody, and hopefully a sense of justice to the family and friends of Everett Cole. Thank you to the Will County State’s Attorney Office for their assistance in this case."

This past summer, Chief Evans addressed residents at a community town hall, and he explained during the event that the Joliet police investigations unit has had a clearance rate of more than 80 percent for solving murders during the past two years.

"Lastly, I feel it important to recognize our strong community," Evans noted in Friday's press release. "The successful resolution of this case is not merely the result of law enforcement efforts, but a testament to the bond between our police department and the community we serve, thus reinforcing the fabric of trust and cooperation that allows the Joliet Police Department to fulfill our duty to serve this great city.”