14-year-old charged with murder of marijuana dealer in Crete Township

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the 14-year-old’s parents were arrested.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder after he was accused of gunning down a 25-year-old marijuana dealer in Crete Township.

The arrest of the teen Thursday was the result of a Will County Sheriff’s Office investigation of the Dec. 30 fatal shooting of Chaves Bradley, 25, of Hammond, Indiana.

Digital evidence recovered at the scene of the crime indicated Bradley was supposed to meet the 14-year-old for the purpose of selling him a large quantity of marijuana, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Bradley parked his vehicle in a prearranged location in Crete Township before shots rang out, police said.

“Bradley was able to speed away from the scene as the [14-year-old] suspect began shooting in the direction of Bradley’s fleeing vehicle,” police said.

Bradley’s vehicle was struck numerous times from behind by gunfire, and Bradley was struck once, police said.

Seven spent .40-caliber shell casings were recovered at the scene.

On Thursday, the sheriff’s SWAT team assisted detectives with a search warrant in Crete Township.

The 14-year-old was arrested, and his parents were questioned about the incident, according to Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Dan Jungles.

Detectives searched the residence and found a .40-caliber pistol and .40-caliber ammunition that matched the same type of rounds recovered at the murder scene, police said.

“The 14-year-old suspect and his parents were transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex for further questioning,” police said.

The firearm and ammunition recovered at the residence was found hidden inside of the 14-year-old’s bedroom, police said.

The firearm was later discovered to be stolen from a Naperville residence.