A 17-year-old boy is facing charges after another 17-year-old was left in critical condition following a stabbing Sunday at the Riverwalk Homes apartment complex in Joliet. Officers found the wounded teen in a fifth-floor hallway, and Joliet Fire Department paramedics rushed him to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. Police recovered a knife at the scene, and the suspect was taken into custody and processed by investigators.
Charges and custody
The juvenile suspect has been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, according to ABC7 Chicago. He was processed at the Joliet Police Department, then transferred to the River Valley Justice Center, while detectives continue their investigation, the outlet reported.
What the police say about the scene
Joliet officers responded around midday and found the injured teen on the fifth floor of a Riverwalk Homes building, according to police. A knife was recovered at the scene, and the victim was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in critical condition. Investigators have asked anyone who saw or heard anything around the time of the incident to contact them. These details were shared with local reporters during the department’s on-scene response.
Processing and next steps
Local coverage notes that the suspect was processed at the Joliet Police Department before being moved to the River Valley detention facility, where he is being held pending further juvenile court proceedings. Detectives have secured the scene, are canvassing the complex for witnesses and surveillance video, and are preparing the case for review by prosecutors for formal charging decisions.
What the charge means
Under Illinois law, “aggravated battery causing great bodily harm” refers to a battery that results in serious injury and is treated as a more serious offense than simple battery. The statute spells out the circumstances that can elevate a battery charge to aggravated status and the potential penalties. For the precise legal language and sentencing range, readers are directed to the Illinois General Assembly’s text of the aggravated battery statute.
Community context and how to help
Riverwalk Homes, formerly the Evergreen Terrace public-housing complex, has been the site of multiple police responses in recent years, and both residents and city officials have previously raised concerns about safety in and around the buildings. Anyone with information about Sunday’s stabbing is asked to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigations Division at 815-724-3020, or call Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734, or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org, per local reporting.
