Police seek man in connection with fatal shooting in Joliet

The Joliet police are seeking a man who is wanted on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the Republic Avenue shooting in Joliet last Friday.

Jeremiah J. Gavin, 22, is wanted in connection with the death of Jeremiah Frazier, 17, who was shot and killed in the 200 block of Republic Avenue, police said in a Facebook post.

Gavin is 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Police encouraged anyone with information on Gavin’s whereabouts to contact the investigations unit at 815-724-3020.

Those with information can also contact Crime Stoppers of Will County if they wish to remain anonymous at 800-323-6734, send a text with the phrase "WILLCOCS" and the tip to 2746 37, or use the organization's website at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org.

A person with information leading to the arrest of Gavin could receive up to $5,000 cash, police said.

Gavin was last in the jail on April 24 after he was arrested by Will County Sheriff's deputies on a charge of resisting an officer, court records show. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 17 and was given 2 years of conditional discharge.

Rasean Stokes, 18, and Javontae Gray, 22, both of Joliet, were arrested after Joliet police investigated a fatal shooting at about noon on Republic Avenue.

Stokes was charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm, court records show. He was booked into the Will County jail and a judge set his bond at $1 million.

Stokes was inside a vehicle and exchanged gunfire with an occupant of another vehicle in which Frazier and Gray were riding, police said. Frazier was struck by gunfire, police said.

Botzum said Gavin was in the same car as Stokes.

Gray was charged with obstruction of justice and aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with the incident. He was jailed and his bond was set at $2 million.

Joliet police Sgt. Christopher Botzum said he did not want to speculate on why the men were shooting at each other but noted the matter "appears to be gang related."