Tracy L. Williams Sr., a 45-year-old African American man from Joliet, IL, tragically lost his life on February 26, 2020. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when Williams was found shot inside a vehicle on Joliet's South Chicago Street. Alongside him was Bernard Marble, a 53-year-old African American man, who was also fatally shot.
The two men were discovered by police officers responding to a call about a person slumped at the wheel of an SUV.
The investigation revealed that Tommie McDonald, a 41-year-old African American man, was inside the vehicle with Williams and Marble. An argument ensued, leading McDonald to shoot both men. Williams, who was driving the vehicle, was shot in the face, while Marble, seated in the rear passenger seat, was shot through the shoulder and hip. McDonald was arrested several hours later and charged with four counts of first-degree murder, among other charges.
During the investigation, it was discovered that McDonald had left his work ID, keys, and cellphone inside the vehicle, which helped authorities identify him as the suspect. Surveillance footage from a nearby bakery showed McDonald crawling out of the SUV's window and fleeing the scene before police arrived. McDonald later returned to the crime scene and approached the police, inquiring about Williams, but left when officers did not realize he was the suspect.
McDonald was held on a $10 million bail and has remained in the Will County Jail since his arrest. The case has been ongoing, with McDonald facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, armed habitual criminal, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. The tragic deaths of Tracy L. Williams Sr. and Bernard Marble have left their families and the Joliet community seeking justice and closure.
