Wounded Man Dies at Hospital - Murder Charge in Store for Alleged Stabber?

A Joliet man allegedly stabbed during a Sunday night fight over $40 worth of bad pot died at the hospital after a nearly 19-hour fight for life.

Rudy Valdez, 25, was pronounced dead at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center shortly before 5 p.m. Monday. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, according to Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil’s office.

Police sent to break up a fight on Reflection Court on the far west side found Valdez bleeding from his belly in a yard about 10 p.m. Sunday. Rodolfo Trujillo, 19, was charged with stabbing Valdez in the stomach with a kitchen knife. Trujillo was taken into custody at the scene and hauled away to the Will County jail.

A second man allegedly involved in the fight with Valdez, 19-year-old Oracio Loera of Plainfield, was also arrested. Loera was jailed on charges of aggravated battery and mob action.

Yet another 19-year-old allegedly involved in the altercation with Valdez ended up getting stabbed in the pelvis. The wounded teen was fighting alongside Trujillo and Loera when Trujillo inadvertently stabbed him, police said.

The wounded teen fled the scene in black Jeep, police said. He was located after the Jeep crashed during his getaway.

That teen was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora. He was listed in stable condition Monday.

Valdez was in a “grave situation” and his chances for surviving the stabbing were “touch-and-go” Monday morning, police said.

Trujillo was booked into the Will County jail Monday morning on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery, but in light of Valdez’s death, it is likely the charges will be upgraded to murder by the time he gets to court Tuesday.