WCSO Press Releases

   Will County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 500 block of Miami St. in Joliet Township around 11pm, Tuesday, June 14, regarding a shots fired call.  Upon arrival, deputies met with two individuals (a male in his 40’s and a female in her 30’s) who stated that while sitting on their front porch two known subjects approached them on foot and began firing several rounds at them.  The subjects then fled the scene.  The victims identified the subjects as John Roy Hernandez, Jr. and Angel Santiago-Vargas.   

   The male was not injured however, the female, an acquaintance of the male victim, suffered two non-life threatening gunshot wounds; one to her right elbow and to the top of her right foot.   East Joliet Fire transported her to Silver Cross Hospital where she was treated and released.   

  While canvassing the area deputies discovered eleven 9mm handgun casings in the roadway, broken glass to the front door, and multiple bullet holes in the siding of the home. 

   Due to deputy’s knowledge and several prior encounters with Hernandez, Jr. and Santiago-Vargas, several deputies and Joliet Police officers responded to the area of the 700 block of Garnsey Avenue where the suspects were known to frequent.  When officers arrived, they located the two subjects and a foot pursuit immediately ensued.  Hernandez and Vargas were apprehended by officers.  Both were interviewed by detectives, both refused to cooperate, and both were ultimately charged. 

John Roy Hernandez, Jr., age 20, of 518 Campbell St. in Joliet was charged with  two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, one count of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and violation of an order of protection.  He is being held on a $1 million dollar bond (10% to apply).

Angel Santiago-Vargas, age 21, of 518 Campbell St. in Joliet was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.  He is being held on a $1 million dollar bond (10% to apply).

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At approximately 3:40 PM, the Romeoville Police Department was contacted by several individuals inside of the Fifth Third Bank located at 275 S. Weber Road for a man with a gun call.  The callers stated there was an armed man inside of the bank, who had taken hostages, demanding that officers respond to the location.  Romeoville Police responded and established a perimeter around the business and surrounding area.

Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team were summoned to the scene. Romeoville Officers were able to communicate with the subject who agreed to allow the individuals inside the bank to walk out to awaiting officers.  While SWAT team members were enroute to the bank, the hostages were released, and the suspect remained inside of the bank.  The hostages relayed to police personnel that the suspect had a firearm and had discharged his weapon inside the bank multiple times.

As SWAT crisis negotiators and tactical team members arrived on scene, they began to relieve Romeoville Police Officers of their perimeter positions.  At one point, members of the SWAT team, set up in front of the bank building in an armored rescue vehicle in anticipation of the suspect exiting.  As the suspect was beginning to exit, a member of the Will County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team fired one round, striking the suspect.  SWAT team members and medics immediately rendered aid to the suspect.  Emergency personnel transported the suspect to a local area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Following Illinois state statute 50 ILCS 727/1-10, the officer-involved shooting incident is being investigated by the Illinois State Police.   The Will County Sheriff’s Office would typically request the investigation be turned over to the Will/Grundy County Major Crimes Task Force, however, this SWAT team is comprised of several officers from multiple police agencies; therefore, in order to avoid a conflict of interest the Illinois State Police was requested.

The name of the deceased subject cannot be released at this time.  The Will County Coroner’s Office is attempting to make notification to family members.  All media inquiries should be directed to the Illinois State Police at isp.pio.personnel@illinois.gov until further information is known.  The Will County Sheriff’s Office will provide additional information to the media as the investigation by the Illinois State Police progresses.   

Sheriff Mike Kelley is pleased to announce the recent arrest of Jerald D. Shumpert (age 47) of Joliet for the offense of Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon.  Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office took Shumpert into custody during the morning court call at the Will County Courthouse.

Shumpert was scheduled for court on an unrelated case, and Judge Dave Carlson read aloud new charges related to the 02/04/2022 homicide investigation of Leelinn Fox (age 26) of Joliet.  Judge Carlson set the bond amount for the aforementioned charges at $1,000,000.00-10% to apply.  After the charges were read to Shumpert, he was subsequently taken into custody on the warrant.

On 02/04/2022, at approximately 1:28 AM, deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1500 block of Maple Road in Joliet Township for a complaint of shots fired.  Once deputies arrived on scene, they located Leelinn Fox, bleeding from the head from a gunshot wound.  Deputies on scene attempted to render aid to Fox, and East Joliet Fire Protection arrived on scene to transport him to a local area hospital.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Leelinn Fox, was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.  It was reported to deputies on scene that there was a party being held at the house, which consisted of only friends and family.  Furthermore, there were approximately twenty to twenty-five people attending the party.  However, when deputies first arrived on scene there were only a handful of individuals remaining at the residence.  Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) were summoned to the scene to begin to conduct the investigation.

For over a month, detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office have been working diligently to try to piece together what occurred during the early morning hours of 02/04/2022 at that residence.  A key piece of evidence led detectives to identify Shumpert as a person of interest in this investigation.  After gathering enough evidence, detectives were able to determine that Shumpert was the only suspect in the homicide investigation of Leelinn Fox.

Sheriff Mike Kelley had this to say about the detectives efforts in apprehending Shumpert in this homicide investigation.  “Even though detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) met resistance from potential witnesses, they were able to gather good physical evidence and enough information pertaining to the person responsible for this crime.  I am proud of all of the hard work and dedication shown in this case, and I look forward to additional charges being filed at a later date for this cowardly violent act.”

Jerald D. Shumpert is currently being housed at the Will County Adult Detention Facility (WCADF) with his bond set at $1,000,000.00, awaiting his next court appearance.  

The Will County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is advising those who operate semi-tractor trailers or heavy farm equipment, that the Illinois Department of Transportation has lowered the weight limit on the Rt. 45 Bridge between Barr Road and Wilmington-Peotone Road in Peotone.  Because of poor bridge structure conditions, last week, IDOT lowered the limit and has placed warning signage from Frankfort on U.S. 30 down to Kankakee County.  The signage is now 24 tons for single vehicles and 35 tons for combination vehicles. 

Over the past week, Sheriff’s deputies and State Police have been giving verbal warnings to drivers with overweight loads and have spoken to farmers in the area.   Beginning Monday,

March 7, deputies and state police will be ticketing offenders.   Those who receive tickets can expect to pay fines from $1,000 to $5,000.   Please take alternate routes.

Will County Sheriff's Office is reporting that Wilmington-Peotone Road at Route 45 and at Old Chicago Road are now reopened.  Additionally, Route 52 and Cedar Road have reopened.

Snow plows remain in the areas in their attempts to keep the rural and main roadways clear for traffic.  Wind conditions continue to cause travel dangerous.  

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Reporting at 7:30am:

Sheriff's Office is reporting that a semi-truck is stuck in the snow on Wilmington-Peotone Road.  Deputies have closed Wilmington-Peotone Road at Route 45 and Wilmington-Peotone and Old Chicago Road.

 Deputies have also closed Route 52 and Cedar Road to assist in diverting traffic and especially semi-trucks that pass thru those areas. 

These roads will be closed for the next few hours until the semi-truck is cleared from the snow and the roads can be plowed and cleared for safe travel.  The drifting snow continues to make these roads extremely hazardous.  

WE ARE URGING MOTORISTS TO STAY AWAY FROM THESE AREAS AND ALL RURAL ROADWAYS!

High winds have caused drifting snow onto all rural and open roadways making travel impossible.  Snow plows, tow trucks and emergency vehicles are also having a hard time assisting stranded motorists as they have become stuck in the drifts as well.

If you are traveling today, please be prepared to have a charged cell phone, several blankets, layered clothing, and water.   You must plan on the possibility of being stuck inside or outside of your vehicle until emergency personnel can get to you and to a safe, warm location.   

No severe accidents have been reported on unincorporated Will County roadways throughout the evening hours.  

Updates will be released throughout the day.