Derrick Williams-Scott, a 32-year-old African American man from Joliet, Illinois, was tragically shot and killed on June 12, 2020. The incident occurred just after midnight in the 1100 block of Richards Street. Williams-Scott was found with multiple gunshot wounds on the front steps of a house. Despite being rushed to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The Joliet Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the homicide.
Within 24 hours, they arrested Nathaniel R. Hill, a 41-year-old man from Crest Hill, Illinois. Hill was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. According to the investigation, an argument had ensued between Williams-Scott and Hill while they were seated in a car. Williams-Scott reportedly struck Hill in the back of the head and exited the vehicle. Hill then followed Williams-Scott out of the car and shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Hill was apprehended later that morning and held in the Will County Jail on a $5 million bail. His criminal history included previous charges for manufacturing and distributing a look-a-like substance, resisting arrest, and a parole violation. The case proceeded to trial, and on June 24, 2022, a Will County jury found Hill guilty of first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Hill was subsequently sentenced to 80 years in prison, with 75 years for the murder charge and an additional five years for the weapons charge.
The trial revealed that the altercation between Williams-Scott and Hill was the culmination of a heated argument. The prosecution presented evidence that Hill had a history of violent behavior, which played a significant role in the jury's decision. The sentencing judge emphasized the severity of the crime and the impact on the community, noting that Hill must serve the entirety of his sentence without the possibility of parole.
This tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of gun violence and the importance of swift justice in such cases. The Joliet community continues to mourn the loss of Derrick Williams-Scott, a young man whose life was cut short by senseless violence.
