Suspect charged with murder in deaths of Joliet resident and her young son

A suspect has been arrested and faces first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of a suburban Joliet mother and her 4-year-old son.

According to a press release from Joliet police, 29-year-old Joseph Johnson is facing six counts of first-degree murder in the shooting, which occurred on Sunday in the backyard of a home near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Dillman Avenue.

Joselynn Diaz-Garcia, 36, and her 4-year-old son were found unresponsive in the backyard with gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Johnson meanwhile was found near Garnsey Avenue, where he was taken to an area hospital for treatment for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his ankle, according to authorities.

Johnson remains hospitalized and will be transferred to the Will County jail upon his release from care.

Authorities have still not released a potential motive for the shooting.

“On behalf of the Joliet Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and to everyone in our community who is touched by this awful and unnecessary act of violence. I am incredibly proud of our officers, detectives, and dispatchers who acted swiftly and professionally under heartbreaking circumstances. We will continue to seek justice while surrounding this family and our city with compassion and support,” Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said in a statement.

Anyone with information on the shooting can call Joliet police at 815-724-3020, or call Will County Crime stoppers at 800-323-6734 if they wish to remain anonymous.