Dupage Policy Journal

On June 18, a Willowbrook man was shot and killed along with several others who suffered from gunshot wounds during a Juneteenth Celebration. On Oct. 6, an Aurora man accused of firing a handgun at the Juneteenth Celebration in Unincorporated Willowbrook was denied pre-trial release by Judge Joshua Dieden at the state's request. As the investigation continues, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office encourages anybody with further information to call (630) 407-2400.

Bob Berlin has served the people of DuPage County and Illinois for over 31 years. He began his career as a prosecutor in 1987 and has been the DuPage County State's Attorney since 2010. Berlin promotes and supports various public safety initiatives, including those such as improving school safety by being one of the charter members of the DuPage County School Safety Task Force, preventing violent crime by working hand in hand with DuPage County law enforcement and fully prosecuting individuals who commit violent crimes, and working to address the opioid crisis by punishing drug dealers and providing treatment for substance abusers.

"A gathering of hundreds of people is no place for illegal guns, and my office stands ready to file the appropriate changes supported by evidence against anyone accused of behavior such as alleged in this case," Berlin said, according to the county. "The investigation into what turned a peaceful celebration into a deadly shooting continues to be extremely tedious and time-consuming, and I commend Sheriff Mendrick and the detectives involved who have invested countless hours to determine the truth about what actually happened that night."

Downers Grove Township Republican Organization is the local Republican organization for Downers Grove Township, Illinois, which includes parts or all of Downers Grove, Darien, Westmont, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Clarendon Hills, Burr Ridge, Woodridge and Oak Brook.

According to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, one person was shot and killed, and 22 people were wounded, the New York Times reported. Many others were injured while fleeing the scene.

The police started monitoring the party at 6 p.m. on Saturday. They were briefly called away from the scene and quickly turned around as they heard gunshots coming from the parking lot. Around 200 teens and young adults gathered at a Willowbrook strip mall parking lot to celebrate Juneteenth. Gunshots were fired around 12:30 a.m., according to the New York Post. 

Grieving fiancee Reginald Meadows, of the Juneteenth Willowbrook victim, expressed impatience in the investigation. 

“It’s been 90 days. We still don’t have answers. I still don’t know where some of his property is. I just want answers. I’ve never seen a mass shooting of such caliber take so long to get answers,” Miller said, WBBM News Radio reported. 

However, the total hours spent on this investigation have topped all previous investigations in recent history, according to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office also noted they have reached out to Reginald Meadows several times as the investigation continues.