On July 19, 2023, a homicide occurred in Joliet, Illinois, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Miguel Mendoza. The incident took place around 4:30 p.m. on the city's east side. Joliet police responded to numerous calls of shots fired at the intersection of Second Avenue and Baker Avenue, where they found an SUV that had struck a parked vehicle in the 100 block of Baker Avenue.
Inside the SUV, officers discovered Miguel Mendoza, the 23-year-old driver, who was unresponsive and had sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and arm. Mendoza was transported to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
During the investigation, police learned that a 16-year-old boy had been taken to Silver Cross Hospital by a private vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. It is believed that this juvenile's injury may be related to the same shooting incident, although this is still under investigation.
The shooting that resulted in Mendoza's death is described as "targeted in nature" by Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English. The police have conducted an extensive canvas of the area and initiated a vigorous investigation into the shooting. As of the reports, no suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with this homicide.
Miguel Mendoza's death marked the sixth homicide in Joliet for the year 2023. The Joliet Police Department is seeking any information from the public and encourages individuals to contact their investigation unit or Crime Stoppers of Will County if they have any details about the shootings.
