Crime & Safety

Bond Denied for Man Charged With South Grad's Shooting

Juan Cuellar was arrested Wednesday at his parents home, according to a release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, which gave more details of the Monday murder.

Bond was denied Thursday afternoon for the man charged with the murder of Hinsdale South grad Joshua Holmes, according to a release from DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

Juan Cuellar, 23, of the 10S700 block of Lilac Lane, unincorporated Willowbrook, was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the shooting of the 18-year-old Holmes on Monday evening among the Hinsdale Lake Terrace apartment buildings where Holmes lived.

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Cuellar had a 4 p.m. bond hearing with Judge Karen Wilson, who ordered him to be held without bond, the state’s attorney’s release reads.

Berlin’s office gave a few more details on the Monday night shooting. According to the release, it is alleged that prior to the shooting, Holmes and two acquaintances were walking westbound on Honeysuckle Rose Lane when a vehicle driven by Cuellar, who also lives in the Lake Hinsdale Terrace apartments, slowed down. Holmes approached the vehicle and, as he did, it is alleged that Cuellar produced a gun, pointed it out of the passenger side window and shot Holmes six times.

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The release says Cuellar then allegedly left the scene.

Holmes was found on the ground and bleeding by DuPage County Sheriff’s Office responders near the intersection of Honeysuckle Rose Lane and Hyacinth lanes. He was transported to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, where he died as a result of the gunshot wounds at 7:18 p.m.

An investigation by the sheriff’s office led to the arrest of Cuellar, who was taken into custody at his parents' home Wednesday, the release states. An earlier release from the sheriff’s office stated that Cuellar’s mother, 42-year-old Elva M. Hernandez, was charged with two felony counts of obstructing justice.

“These senseless killings have got to stop,” Berlin said in the release. “Day after day we hear stories of street violence that have claimed the life of yet another young person. People have got to learn that violence is never the answer. An 18 year-old boy has been taken from his family and the man accused of his murder is now in jail facing a potential life sentence.”

Cuellar’s next court date is scheduled for October 10, 2012, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

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Related stories:

  • PHOTOS: Who Was Joshua Holmes?
  • READ: Retaliation Over Hinsdale South Grad's Shooting a Concern for Apartment Community
  • 18-Year-Old Shot and Killed in Unincorporated Willowbrook


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