Bond Set for Two Accused of Naperville Murder

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Naperville Interim Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that bond has been set for two individuals charged with first-degree murder following an altercation in a Naperville parking lot this past week. Robert Chatman-Jones, 20 (d.o.b. 12/25/2000) of the 300 block of 24th Street, Bellwood, and Desire Gray, 19 (d.o.b. 5/12/2002) of the 1900 block of Ashwood Lane, Aurora, each appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh set bond at $4 million with 10% to apply for Chatman-Jones and $1.5 million with 10% to apply for Gray. Both have been charged with one count of First-Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Battery – Discharge of a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Attempt Armed Robbery – Discharged Firearm (Class 1 Felony).

On August 29, 2021, at approximately 2:11 p.m., Naperville police officers responded to a call of shots fired in a parking lot located on Amersale Drive. Upon their arrival, officers located two .40 caliber shell casings and more than $100 cash in the parking lot. While at the scene, the officers were notified that the Aurora Police Department had located a vehicle with two gunshot victims inside the vehicle at McCoy Drive and Vaughn Road. One victim had been shot in the left leg and the other victim, later identified as Coreon Davis, had been shot in the head and his left hand. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Davis was later transported to Loyola Hospital where he subsequently died. It is alleged that Davis and the second individual went to the parking lot on Amersale to sell a gun to Chatman-Jones. It is alleged that upon their arrival at the parking lot, a man, later identified as Chatman-Jones exited a vehicle and approached their vehicle. It is further alleged that when Chatman-Jones gave Davis money for the gun, Davis, who remained in the vehicle, told Chatman-Jones that he was “short” on the amount of money the two had agree upon to complete the transaction. It is alleged that a struggle between Davis and Chatman-Jones began and that at this time, Chapman-Jones discharged a weapon, striking the two occupants of the vehicle. It is further alleged that both the victims’ car and Chatman-Jones and Gray fled the scene at this time. Following an investigation into the murder led by the Naperville Police Department, Chatman-Jones and Gray were taken into custody without incident the following day from an Aurora apartment complex parking lot.

“I commend the Naperville Police Department for their truly exceptional police work that enabled us to take these defendants into custody just one day after the murder,” Berlin said. “Illegal gun sales and the violence that can erupt from such transactions, as is alleged in this case, will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Considering this violence allegedly occurred in a heavily populated commercial district in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, we are very grateful no innocent bystanders were injured. I would also like to thank the Aurora Police Department and investigators from the DuPage M.E.R.I.T. Major Crimes Unit for their assistance in this investigation. To the family and friends of Mr. Davis, I offer my condolences as they mourn this senseless loss of life. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Kristin Sullivan for her efforts in securing charges against these two defendants.”

“The Naperville Police Department has no tolerance for gun violence in our community and will relentlessly pursue anyone who commits such a reckless and dangerous act in our city,” said Interim Police Chief Jason Arres. “We are deeply troubled by the loss of life in this instance, but to have someone in custody in this case within twenty-four hours is a testament to the great work of our investigations personnel and their dedication to the citizens of Naperville. Not only did our investigators catch the offenders, they also took a number of illegal firearms off the street during this investigation. In addition to thanking our personnel for their relentless work, I would also like to thank the Aurora Police Department and DuPage County State's Attorney's Office for their outstanding assistance with this investigation. Their assistance and collaboration were critical to this overall investigation.”

Chatman-Jones’s and Gray’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 28, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Hallaren Walsh.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.Bond Set for Two Accused of Naperville Murder