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HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.31.93 VB Special Mtg Minutesr~ P INFIELD V LLAGE BO OF TRUSTS ERGENCY EETING OF MAY 31 19 3 DATE: MAY 31, 1993 AT: PRESIDENT PETERSON'S HOME 213 OTTAWA STREET, PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS MEMBERS OF BOARD PRESENT: PRESIDENT PETERSON, M. LAMBERT, J. DEMENT, R. ROCK, L. KELLY, J. HEIMERDINGER, J. RAY. OTHERS PRESENT: D. BENNET - POLICE CHIEF D. DRYDEN - ENTERPRISE REPORTER .Meeting was called by President Peterson and three of the Trustees as an Emergency Special Meeting in order to determine the facts surrounding a shooting of a Plainfield youth that occurred approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 31, 1993, to determine if any official action had to be taken by the Soard for the public safety. Notice of the meeting was not published or posted, however, the Plainfield Enterprise reporter, Mrs. D. Dryden, was advised of the meeting and requested to attend, and in fact, did attend. The meeting was convened at 1:00 p.m. Board members Lambert, Dement, Rock, Kelly and Heimerdinger present. Trustee Ray absent - he arrived at 2:10 p.m. Chief Sennett reported that at approximately 12:23 a.m. a call was received using the 911 system from a person named Donna Zimmerman indicating that a shooting had taken. place in the 200 block of James Street. Officers from the Plainfield Police Department responded to the scene where they found a youth, Chris Pesavento slumped aver the steering wheel of an automobile. The officers immediately secured the scene, the youth was removed by the Emergency Medical Services to St. Joseph's Hospital. Evidence technicians from the Plainfield Police Department were called in, and the investigation was also assisted by the Crest Hill Police Department. That evening, approximately 8 different boys were interviewed, and at approximately 1:30 a.m. the Plainfield Police Department was notified that a youth named Quan Cole had turned himself into the Joliet Police Department, indicating that he had been the person who had done the shooting. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of a youth named Steven Bennett and the arrest of a youth named Rick Wellner. Cole and Bennett were arrested for attempted murder and illegal discharge of a firearm, Wellner was arrested as an accomplice, the exact charges are pending. The facts as procured by the Plainfield Police Department indicated that an altercation had taken place in the Christine Subdivision. Apparently a group of 3 or 4 youths had arrived at a . PLAINFTELD VILLAGE BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MAY 31, 1993 PAGE TWO home in the Christine Subdivision where a party was taking place. These youths requested the Pesavento boy to come out and fight. While it is unclear how they ended up on James Street, it appears Pesavento and 9 other youths arrived at James Street after the 4 youths arrived there. Apparently there were wards and shots were fired. Pesavento was attempting to escape from the scene and was shot through the window of his car. Through their investigation, the police determined a firearm that may have been used may be located at a residence on James Street. Chief Bennett procured a search warrant from Judge Lechwar and conducted a search of a residence at 200 James Street where 2 weapons were found and confiscated as evidence. Chief Bennett indicated that his investigation was continuing. The youths arrested will appear in court on June 1, 1993 at approximately 9:30 a.m. where they would be formally charged. The Chief indicated that the further background investigation .was continuing and that further information will be forthcoming as soon as it is available. The Chief indicated that he had been contacted by the media, particularly the television stations in Chicago, and there would probably be television broadcasts concerning the event that evening. Much discussion ensued by the Trustees questioning the Chief as to whether or not the incident was gang related, prior incidences involving the people that were involved in this incident, and a discussion of an article that is to appear this week in the Plainfield Enterprise concerning youth gangs. Trustee J. Ray appeared at the meeting at approximately 2:10 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. President J. Peterson was nominated and acted as Clerk pro tem to prepare the minutes of this meeting. N E. P ERSON, ACTING CLERK •