Oak Park Man Pleads Guilty To 2018 Recording Studio Killing

OAK PARK, IL — An Oak Park man accused in the June 2018 fatal shooting death of a Glendale Heights man pleaded guilty to one count of felony second-degree murder Wednesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced in a news release. Owen Reneau, 32, from the 300 block of Maple Avenue, appeared in DuPage County court Wednesday morning in front of Judge Brian Telander, who accepted his guilty plea, according to the news release. This comes nearly two years after 27-year-old Sanchez Townes-Elliot was shot and killed during an argument involving a gun at a basement recording studio in unincorporated Roselle, the state's attorney's office added.

According to the news release, Reneau and others were at the studio in the 24W700 block of Lake Street on June 3, 2018, when Townes-Elliot took out a handgun. An acquaintance of Reneau told him the gun made her uncomfortable at which time Townes-Elliot put it on a table, the state's attorney's office said.

According to the news release, Reneau the took the gun off the table, and an argument between the two men began. Reneau is accused of shooting Townes-Elliot with the gun, and leaving the property, according to the state's attorney's office.

Weeks later, Reneau was found at a relative’s home in suburban Baltimore, Maryland, and was extradited to DuPage County where his bond was set at $5 million (with 10 percent to apply), the news release said. He's been in custody at the DuPage County jail since that time.

“This morning, Mr. Reneau took responsibility for the death of Sanchez Townes Elliot,” Berlin said, in the news release. “While his admission of guilt will not bring Mr. Townes-Elliot back to those who loved him and miss him, perhaps it will provide some solace to them knowing that the man responsible for his death will be held accountable. I would like to thank the numerous agencies involved in this case, particularly the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys James Scaliatine, Claudia Fantauzzo and Anthony Pasquini for their efforts in preparing a strong case that led to today’s guilty plea.”

Reneau’s sentencing is scheduled for June 24, according to the state's attorney's office.