WCSO Press Releases

Sheriff Mike Kelley is pleased to announce the recent arrests of three individuals that were involved in the mass shooting incident that occurred on Halloween night of 2021.  Joskar S. Ramos of Joliet (age 18), Thomas Lopez of Joliet (age 21), and Jeremy Lopez of Lockport Township (age 19) were all arrested on charges, stemming from last year’s mass shooting that left Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos dead and several others injured. 

On 11/05/2021, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office took Joskar Ramos into custody for various weapon related offenses.  While being apprehended, a deputy with the Will County Sheriff’s Office observed Joskar attempt to conceal a firearm on the roof of his residence.  Joskar was taken into custody without incident, and has been incarcerated at the Will County Adult Detention Facility since then on a $1,000,000 bond for the various weapons offenses.   

On December 29, 2021, detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police requested the assistance of the United States Marshals, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force in locating and arresting Thomas and Jeremy Lopez.  Members of the United States Marshal Service were able to identify addresses for the Lopez brothers, and that information was forwarded to detectives. 

On 01/04/2022, members of the Will County Gang Suppression Unit and Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division who are also members of the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, safely apprehended Thomas Lopez and Jeremy Lopez at their residences.

Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police wanted Thomas and Jeremy Lopez, who are brothers, on probable cause charges for First Degree Murder.  The Lopez brothers are Vice Lord gang members, and have extensive weapons histories.

In the morning hours of 01/04/2022, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division set up surveillance and later approached an address located in the 300 block of Franklin Street in Joliet in an attempt to apprehend Jeremy Lopez.  Jeremy Lopez had been identified as living at this address with Reyna Rodriguez, age 20, who was Jeremy’s girlfriend and mother of his child.  Reyna Rodriguez was also wanted on various drug related charges.  After multiple knocks and calling in to the residence but receiving no response, the door of the residence was breached.  Jeremy Lopez was located inside the residence, alone with his child, and taken into custody without incident.  While Will County Sheriff’s Office personnel were still on scene, Reyna Rodriguez returned to her residence, and was subsequently taken into custody for her outstanding warrants.  Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were able to arrange to have the minor child taken into custody by a family member of Jeremy’s.  

In addition, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office set up surveillance at a residence located in the 500 block of Parkview Lane in unincorporated Lockport Township, and maintained consistent physical surveillance of Thomas Lopez’s apartment for approximately eight (8) hours.  This apartment had no direct ties to Lopez, but it was believed to be rented by his mother.  During the early afternoon hours, Thomas Lopez exited the apartment building and approached a vehicle owned by his father.  Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office approached Thomas Lopez and he was taken into custody without incident.

Both Thomas and Jeremy Lopez were turned over to detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police for questioning.  In addition, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were also able to secure items of evidentiary value during the course of these arrests, which were turned over to detectives for processing.  As a result of being questioned, detectives were able to obtain additional information from the suspects in order to bring formal charges against Joskar Ramos, Jeremy Lopez, and Thomas Lopez.    

Sheriff Mike Kelley had this to say about the investigation.  “This was a true team effort by everyone at the Will County Sheriff’s Office that helped play a part in this investigation.  This tragic incident could not have been solved without the help of the public, so I want to thank those that came forward with information.  Every member within the Criminal Investigations Division at the Will County Sheriff’s Office have worked tirelessly for months, in conjunction with the State’s Attorney’s Office to help bring these thugs to justice.  Now that these criminals are behind bars, Will County is now safer than it was the day before.” 

Joskar Ramos is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

Thomas Lopez is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Jeremy Lopez is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

The bond amount set by Judge Dave Carlson on all three offenders is $10,000,000-10% to apply.  Thomas and Jeremy Lopez were transported from the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and all three defendants are awaiting an initial court appearance.    

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This morning at approximately 4:30am, Will County Sheriff's deputies, along with other police agencies, were dispatched to assist New Lenox Police in an attempt to apprehend Alexander Wheeler, age 21. Deputies were advised that Wheeler had just been suspected of shooting his father in the face and battering his mother at their residence located at 1900 block of Grand Prairie Drive in New Lenox. Police were advised that Wheeler may be under the influence of drugs and was possibly in possession of a weapon. A description of his vehicle was given as a 2020 silver Honda Civic.

   At approximately 5am, a Sheriff's deputy located the vehicle in the area of Cedar Road and Laraway Road. While additional officers arrived, a traffic stop was attempted on Wheeler. Wheeler refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Wheeler eventually fled back to his subdivision and officers fanned out in an attempt to locate Wheeler. Wheeler's vehicle was then observed heading down Wind Crest Lane where he attempted to drive through a resident's backyard. A Sheriff's deputy was directly behind Wheeler. Wheeler then exited his vehicle. The Sheriff's deputy made several attempts to get Wheeler to comply but was unsuccessful. The deputy deployed his Tazer in an attempt to disable Wheeler but did not have the desired effect. Wheeler continued to disregard the officer’s commands, which led to the officer deploying his service weapon and shooting Wheeler. Aid was immediately rendered to Wheeler by police. He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Wheeler's father was also transported to Silver Cross Hospital. He sustained serious injuries but was conscious at the scene. His current condition is unknown at this time.

The Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force will be investigating this incident. All future inquiries in this case should be directed to the Task Force Public Information Officer, Chief Ken Kroll of the Romeoville Police Department at kkroll@romeoville.org

On December 3, around 4:30pm, Will County Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop on a GMC Acadia on I-80 near the Houbolt Road exit.  Deputies spoke with the driver, Carlos J. Rosado, age 48, of Downey, CA.  While speaking to him deputies began to suspect that Rosado was involved in criminal activity.  A consensual search of the vehicle was performed along with a positive indication of narcotics from K9 Malice.  Located in a false compartment within the vehicle was 13 bundles of methamphetamine totaling 8,587grams, 2 containers of fentanyl pills totaling 1,950 grams, 8 bundles of cocaine totaling 8,800 grams, and multiple cell phones. 

 Sheriff’s deputies questioned Rosado who requested council.  He was placed under arrest and charged with improper turn, obstructed front windshield, false/secret compartment in vehicle, manufacture/delivery of fentanyl over 900 grams, possession of fentanyl over 900 grams, manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine over 900 grams, possession of methamphetamine over 900 grams, possession of cocaine over 900 grams, and manufacture/delivery of cocaine over 900 grams. 

Carlos Javier Rosado appeared in court where his bond was set for $1 million (10% to apply). 

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Will County Sheriff’s Investigators have taken the prime suspect into custody from the Halloween shooting that left Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos dead and several injured.

 Through multiple interviews, videos, and tips Sheriff’s detectives were able to develop information regarding the suspect, Joskar Sebastian Ramos, age 18, of 905 Gael Drive in Joliet.  Ramos had an active Will County warrant on unrelated weapons offenses that occurred while he was a juvenile.  On November 3, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for Ramos’ residence due to that warrant.

 In the early morning hours the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit were stationed at the residence and around 9:45am deputies set up a perimeter of the home and attempted to serve the warrant.  Deputies announced their presence several times while outside the home.  During the course of knocking on the doors and announcing their presence, they observed Joskar Ramos look out a second story window and then disappear from view.  Deputies continued their attempts to have Ramos come to the door with negative results.  As the deputies continued their efforts, a deputy observed a gun that had been placed outside of the window onto the roof of the first floor. 

 Given the totality of the circumstances and with a reasonable belief that Ramos was still inside, detectives determined to force entry into the residence.  Upon doing so, Ramos began to respond, followed commands, and was taken into custody by deputies. 

 Deputies took into evidence a semi-automatic 9mm Glock from the first floor roof.  The Warrant Unit also conducted a search of the residence and collected numerous items of evidentiary value that is being analyzed at this time.

 Joskar Ramos was transported to the Sheriff’s Investigations Unit where he was questioned about his involvement in the Halloween party shooting.  Ramos exercised his right to an attorney.   Ramos has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, obstructing justice and illegal possession of ammunition and is being held on a $1million bond.  At this time, no charges are related to the murders.  Detectives and the Will County State’s Attorney Office are actively working together in hopes of bringing additional charges.  

 Sheriff’s detectives continue to follow all tips and leads in their pursuit to arrest the second shooter in this incident. 

 Additional information will be made available when appropriate. 

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Will County Sheriff’s detectives remain vigilant on the search for partygoers that attended the Halloween Party at 1018 E. Jackson Street, Joliet.  Detectives have currently interviewed over 70 individuals. Most have been cooperative but many refuse to cooperate. With the assistance of witness statements, videos, and tips, detectives are aware that several additional individuals that were there have not come forward.  Detectives are actively looking for these individuals so the Sheriff’s Office is urging every person who was there to come forward. 

Additionally, detectives continue to cultivate leads as they sift through a substantial amount of electronic media in hopes of developing further evidence to capture and arrest the offenders of this heinous shooting.

Victim/hospital update:   One male victim remains in critical condition.  Two victims continue to be treated for non-life threatening injuries and the six remaining victims have been released.

As stated in previous releases, the hosts of this party initially invited some friends over for a costume party.  The invitation spread over social media, which led to several individuals to attend who were unknown to the host or other invitees.  Sheriff’s detectives have confirmed that the hosts were not gang affiliated and the deceased victims were merely innocent partygoers. 

Additional information will be provided when appropriate.

Media contact person:    Kathy Hoffmeyer

                                        Public Information Officer

                                        khoffmeyer@willcosheriff.org