One slain, 4 wounded in Crest Hill shootings

Crest Hill — One man was killed and four others wounded in a late Sunday night shooting at the parking lot of Forza Table & Tap in Crest Hill, police said.

But 24 hours later, police remained reticent to say if there was more than one shooter, or who was killed and whether the shooter or shooters was fleeing. There were no arrest as of Monday night.

About 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a report of people loitering in the parking lot of Forza Table & Tap, 1827 Knapp Drive, according to a Crest Hill Police Department statement.

While officers were on the scene dispersing a large crowd of people, several shots were fired, police said.

Officers saw one man lying on the ground and went to his aid, police said. They provided life-saving measures on the man before paramedics arrived.

The man was taken to Ascension Saint Jospeh Medical Center in Joliet before succumbing to his injuries, police said.

The man’s identity has not been released. Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark said the man is in his early 30s.

Four other people were also wounded in the shooting, Clark said.

Those victims were hospitalized for injuries not considered life threatening, police said.

Clark said there’s potentially multiple shooters but detectives are still investigating. He said the incident is an isolated , but not a random shooting.

“The case is still developing. They are developing leads and information. We’re holding some of the information to maintain the integrity of the investigation.” Clark said.

On Monday morning, the parking lot of Forza Table & Tap had crushed plastic and styrofoam cups in and bottles of liquor and beer were in the concrete planters.

Forza Table & Tap is located next to The Southern Cafe, both of which are in the same strip that includes Sole Much More Boutique, Integrity Trade Services, Sophia’s and Firewater BBQ & Brew.

The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force is assisting the investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crest Hill police detective Joel Steen at 815-741-5111.

Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers of Will County by phone at 800-323-6734 or by texting WILLCOCS and the tip to the number 274637.

The fatal shooting is at least the second one to have occurred this year. On March 14, Matthew Parks, 30, was shot to death by a Crest Hill police sergeant after he approached him with a knife, according to the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. The task force is still investigating the shooting.

There have been at least nine homicides in Crest Hill in the past five years.

In 2018, Aaron Tucker, 20, of Joliet, was shot to death while sitting in a car outside an apartment building. Dave Luellen, 28, has been charged with Tucker’s murder.

Jon Middono, 33, was charged with the 2019 murder of his 10-week-old daughter, Kora Middono. Marius Januzis, 44, was charged with the 2019 involuntary manslaughter of his co-worker, Donatas Bruzga, 36.

In 2020, Alan Edison, 30, and Travyon Frazier, 16, both died in separate shooting incidents. The investigation of their deaths remain open.

In the same year, William Spruell, 21, was gunned down by Dwight Watkins, 25, who pleaded guilty this year to killing him.

Last year, Leandre Abbott, 29, was found shot to death in the city. The investigation of his death remains open.