Murder Charges In Joliet House Party Homicide From February

Joliet IL

07 April, 2022

10:16 PM

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JOLIET, IL — On Thursday night, the Will County Sheriff's Office announced that Will County Jail inmate Jerald Shumpert is now being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 4 house party killing of 26-year-old Leelinn Fox of Joliet. The Will County Sheriff's Office arrested Shumpert on March 9. At that time, the sheriff's agency indicated Shumpert was being charged with being an armed habitual criminal and unlawful use of a gun by a felon. He was also considered the only suspect in the shooting death of Fox, who died after being shot at an overnight house party on Maple Road, right off Briggs Street in Joliet Township, the sheriff's office announced at the time of the Joliet man's arrest. "Today, a bill of indictment was signed, whereas Jerald D. Shumpert was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Jerald D. Shumpert committed the offense, 'without lawful justification, with the intent to kill or do great bodily harm to Leelinn Fox, shot Leelinn Fox in the head, thereby causing the death of Leelinn Fox,'" Will County's sheriff announced on Facebook. "I am proud of all of the hard work and dedication exhibited in this case, by everyone involved. I am glad to see that there is justice for Leelinn Fox and his family," a statement attributed to Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley declared. Related Joliet Patch coverage: Not Charged With Murder: Joliet Defendant Seeks Lower Bail Joliet House Party Homicide: Neighbor Not Surprised By Killing Joliet Homicide: Sheriff Arrests Jerald Shumpert, 47