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
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