Xavier Mendoza, a 20-year-old Hispanic male from Joliet, Illinois, was tragically killed on September 1, 2020. Mendoza, affectionately known as "Zay-Zay" and "X-Man" by his family and friends, was a lifelong resident of Joliet. He attended Gompers Junior High and Joliet Central High School. Xavier was known for his kind and gentle nature, his love for family, friends, children, animals, nature, music, and cars.
He was bilingual and proud of his Hispanic roots, often driving around with friends listening to Hispanic and rap music. On the night of his death, Mendoza was fatally shot in the head while sitting in a car outside the Ingalls Park Liquor Store in Joliet. The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m., and Mendoza was pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim, 29-year-old Zachary Stohr from New Lenox, was also shot and killed in the same incident. Stohr, an apparent eyewitness, was shot in the back and stumbled inside the liquor store, where he collapsed and later died at Silver Cross Hospital.
The double homicide has remained unsolved, with no arrests made in connection to the killings. The Will County Sheriff's Office, responsible for the investigation, has not provided any additional information about potential suspects or the progress of the investigation. Mendoza's mother, Gina Desmond, has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the authorities. She has held rallies to draw attention to her son's killing and has provided the sheriff's office with the name of a Joliet man she believes was responsible for orchestrating the shooting. However, the detectives overseeing the case have dismissed her information, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The community has rallied around Mendoza's family, with friends and supporters holding events to raise awareness about the unsolved double homicide. Despite the lack of progress in the investigation, the Will County Sheriff's Office has stated that the case remains a top priority. The tragic deaths of Xavier Mendoza and Zachary Stohr have left a lasting impact on their families and the Joliet community, who continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
