Alexander Perez, a 23-year-old from Lockport, Illinois, died of a gunshot wound to the chest in the early morning hours of August 29, 2018. The shooting took place in the 6800 block of Hadrian Drive on Joliet’s far west side; witnesses carried Perez outside and placed him in the driveway, where Joliet Police found him about 1:15 a.m.

Perez had been visiting the home of 19-year-old Jacob Megrant in the Cumberland South subdivision to buy drugs. Megrant fled the scene but was later arrested by Illinois State Police in Bloomington; officers found three guns and cocaine in his car. Megrant faced multiple felony counts, including armed violence and unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member, and his bail was set at $2 million.

Witness testimony at court and statements made during Megrant’s appearances were part of the prosecution’s case; prosecutors said investigators were still sorting out the exact details of what happened. If anyone saw Perez in Joliet that night or has information about the transaction at Megrant’s home, please come forward.