Homicide Investigation
Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce the recent arrests of Elijah J. Watson (Male, Black, age 23) of 28 NW Circle Drive in Joliet and Anthony Francimore (Male, White, age 20) of 2706 Dougall Road in Joliet, in connection to a Murder Investigation.
On 10/28/2018, at approximately 1:00 AM, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 500 Block of Fox Street in unincorporated Joliet Township in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies observed a male individual lying face down in the roadway motionless, surrounded by unknown individuals.
As deputies were securing the scene, East Joliet Fire Department arrived and began attempting life saving measures on the victim. The victim, Nathan J. Ballard, (age 20) was transported to Silver Cross Hospital and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
A witness on scene advised responding deputies that the offenders were driving a black Dodge Magnum with tinted windows, and it was occupied by several individuals. Detectives were called to the scene and were able to track down numerous leads from witnesses and evidence recovered from the scene.
Information was developed by detectives that the suspect vehicle and potential suspects had fled to the City of Chicago. Will County Sheriff’s Detectives met with members of the 10th District of the Chicago Police Department and Chicago’s Fugitive Warrants Unit in reference to this investigation. Will County Detectives briefed members of the Chicago Police Department and a physical search of the area where the vehicle was believed to be located was conducted.
At approximately 12:30 PM the Black Dodge Magnum used in this homicide was located in the area of 14th and Karlov in the City of Chicago. With the assistance of the Chicago Police Department, surveillance was set up on the vehicle. At approximately 1:45 PM, a subject was seen entering the vehicle, and the vehicle began to leave the area.
A traffic stop was conducted by Will County Detectives and members of the Chicago Police Department, and two subjects were taken into custody at that time. Elijah J. Watson and Anthony Francimore had previously been identified as suspects in this investigation, and both were taken into custody without incident as a result of the traffic stop. Both the suspects and the vehicle were later transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Public Safety Complex for further questioning and processing.
Numerous search warrants were obtained and executed in reference to this investigation, and detectives were able to further the investigation by interviewing the offenders. Detectives would later learn that the suspects in this case intended on robbing the victim, Nathan Ballard, and upon doing so and while driving away from the victim, several shots were fired in the vicinity of Ballard by Elijah Watson. Ballard suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper chest, from what appears to be from a semi-automatic 9 mm handgun.
Elijah J. Watson was charged with four (4) counts of First Degree Murder, one (1) count of Armed Robbery, and one (1) count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon.
Anthony Francimore was charged with one (1) count of First Degree Murder and one (1) count of Armed Robbery.
The bond amount set for both offenders is $5,000,000-10% to apply.
Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to personally thank all the members of the Investigations Division for their commitment, dedication, and thoroughness in completing this investigation in such a timely manner. Sheriff Kelley would also like to thank the men and women of the Chicago Police Department in the 10th District in providing assistance with this case.
This is still an active investigation, and additional information will be provided in this case when appropriate.
