Sonja L. "Trish" Underwood, a 56-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on March 31, 2021, in Joliet, Illinois. Sonja was born on April 27, 1964, and was affectionately known as "Trish" by her family and friends. She was a graduate of Joliet Township High School and was deeply involved in her community, having accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton, Sr. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet.
Trish was known for her passion for cooking, baking, and entertaining, and she cherished spending time with her loved ones.
On the evening of March 30, 2021, Sonja and her boyfriend, 69-year-old Ben Rockett, were at their residence on South Illinois Street in Joliet, along with two friends. After their friends left, an argument ensued between Sonja and Rockett, which escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Rockett retrieved a gun from underneath his bed, and as the two struggled over the weapon, it discharged, fatally injuring Sonja with a single gunshot to her face. The bullet entered her chin and exited the rear of her head. Rockett, a convicted felon, did not have a valid FOID card at the time of the incident.
Rockett was taken into custody several hours after Sonja's death, and he admitted to the shooting during police questioning. Despite his confession, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow chose not to file first-degree murder charges against Rockett. Instead, Rockett was charged with one felony count of being an armed habitual criminal and two felony counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun. Rockett remained in the Will County Jail with a bail set at $1 million.
In December 2023, Rockett was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge of Armed Habitual Criminal, a class X felony. The tragic incident highlighted the deadly intersection between guns and domestic violence, with State's Attorney Glasgow emphasizing the increased risk of fatal outcomes when abusers have access to firearms. Rockett's sentence will be served at 85 percent, with credit for time served since his arrest.
