$2 million bond set after gun death

A $2 million bond was set for a teen who allegedly was with a man later found shot to death outside his home.

It’s unclear whether Jacob Megrant, 19, of Joliet was responsible for the death of Alexander Perez, 23, of Lockport. Megrant was jailed shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Messina said during Megrant’s bond hearing Thursday that Perez’s death still is under investigation.

Messina said Perez and Megrant might have been friends and that Perez planned to buy a gun from Megrant.

At some point, Perez suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest and died, Messina said, and Megrant later was found by police in Bloomington.

During the hearing, Megrant yelled out, “He was still alive,” but it wasn’t clear if he was referring to Perez.

Judge Art Smigielski warned Megrant that the “worst thing you can do is discuss facts of the case in open court.”

Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner previously said witnesses differed about whether Perez’s fatal wound was self-inflicted.

Roechner failed to return multiple calls Thursday. State’s attorney spokesman Charles B. Pelkie declined to answer questions about the case.

About 1 a.m. Wednesday, officers were called to the 6800 block of Hadrian Drive in response to a report of a person with a gunshot wound, Joliet police Sgt. Darrell Gavin said. The officers found a man later identified as Perez dead in a driveway.

Officers spoke with several people who claimed Megrant possibly was with Perez before he was found dead, Gavin said, and they said Megrant had left before police arrived.

Megrant later was found by state troopers, Gavin said, and detectives recovered three handguns and suspected cocaine from his person and car.

“The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing,” Gavin said.

Messina asked for a $2 million bond for Megrant, claiming he posed a significant threat.
Megrant told Smigielski he is unemployed and lives with his sister.

Public Defender Deanna Giliberto said if Megrant were released, he would be staying with his mother and not his sister. She also said he is unemployed because he injured his hand.
Smigielski said Megrant had no previous contacts with the criminal justice system but appeared to have fled the scene of Perez's death.

Megrant’s mother was in court with other family members. She declined to comment after the hearing.