Boy, 15, charged with murder in fatal shooting of 13-year-old boy in Joliet

JOLIET, Ill. — A 15-year-old boy has been charged in the death of 13-year-old Manuel Mejia Perez in Joliet.

According to the Joliet Police Department, the juvenile faces three counts of first degree murder and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon after an extensive investigation identified him as the suspect who fatally shot the teen boy.

Police responded to the 300 block of Des Plaines Street on reports of a person shot just before 4:45 p.m. Monday, and discovered an unresponsive 13-year-old boy in an alley who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The family has identified the child as Manuel Mejia Perez.

Detectives determined that the victim and the 15-year-old suspect knew each other and had been involved in an ongoing personal dispute. Police said that evidence shows the 15-year-old shot Manuel Mejia Perez twice during the confrontation.

The teen was taken into custody on Wednesday for aggravated battery, mob action, and disorderly conduct resulting from an incident that occurred on May 6.

Police said further questioning of the juvenile about the homicide led to the approval of criminal charges by the Will County State’s Attorney Office.