Rifleman Who Lived At The Birch Apartments Now In Jail: Joliet Police

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department issued a press release around 10 p.m. Thursday letting everyone in the city know that 42-year-old rifleman Michael King is in the Will County Jail in connection with Thursday's pre-dawn shooting at The Birches Apartments near Glenwood Avenue.

“As your Chief of Police, I share a deep sense of concern regarding the recent increase in shootings within our city," Chief Bill Evans declared in the press announcement. "These incidents, which have seemingly occurred at random locations, have created a heightened sense of unease for many. The safety and well-being of every person in our community is the highest priority of the Joliet Police Department.

"I understand the anxiety and distress these random acts of violence can cause, and I share in that concern. My thoughts are with everyone affected, and your police department is committed to ensuring that we take every necessary step to address this issue."

As for the rifleman, Joliet police say Michael King will stay in the Will County Jail on two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a previously convicted felon.

Will County Jail records list King as being a resident of The Birch Apartments. He lived at Building 2355 Birch Lane. He was booked into custody at 6:50 p.m.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that at 5:20 a.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Taylor Street for a report of a man walking in the area while carrying a gun.

Officers completed an initial search and were unable to find the man. While the officers were on scene, a man carrying a rifle was walking on the property of White Birch Apartments and that this same man had entered the apartment building at 2355 White Birch Lane and entered an apartment on the second floor.

Officers found the suspect at this apartment, and he was detained and identified as Michael King.

During a canvass of the area, the officers located three spent rifle casings from the ground in the parking lot in the 2300 block of White Birch Lane. Officers were unable to find any shooting victims or any property struck by gunfire. Officers located King’s Mercedes-Benz vehicle in the parking lot and located a handgun in plain view on the front seat of the vehicle.

King was taken to the Joliet Police Department for further questioning, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

Later on Thursday, Joliet's detectives obtained a search warrant for King’s apartment. Detectives executed the search warrant at King’s apartment, at which time they found a loaded AR-style rifle in a closet and other ammunition. Detectives determined that King did not possess a valid FOID card and is a convicted felon.