Downers Grove 17 Year Old Charged with Attempted Murder in Attack on 13 Year Old Woodridge Boy
DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Woodridge Chief of Police Steve Herron announced today that Phillip J. Valerio, 17 (d.o.b. 9/23/86) of 5600 Carpenter in Downers Grove has been charged with one (1) count of Attempt (First Degree Murder) and one (1) count of Aggravated Battery in connection with the March 30th violent beating of a 13 year old Woodridge boy.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30th, it has been alleged that Valerio approached the 13 year old boy and two of his friends in front of a Woodridge driveway on Janes Avenue. The defendant identified himself as a gang member and then allegedly pulled out a baseball bat and took a swing at the three boys, striking the 13 year old victim, Ocheion Wilson, in the head, knocking him to the ground. While the victim was on the ground, the defendant continued to strike the victim about the head and body with the bat. He then ran off, jumped into a vehicle and fled the scene.
Woodridge Police responded and upon arrival, requested emergency medical services for the victim. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital and remains in the Intensive Care Unit with skull fractures and other related injuries. The Woodridge Police alerted area police departments of the vehicle description, and shortly thereafter, the Downers Grove Police located the vehicle. The Woodridge Police were notified and took the defendant in for questioning.
After consultation with the State’s Attorney’s Office, DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett approved charges against Valerio this afternoon, including one county Attempt (First Degree Murder), a Class X felony, and one count of Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 felony. He is currently being held at the Woodridge Police Department and will be transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton sometime this evening.
"We in law enforcement take these types of horrific attacks on children extremely seriously," commented State’s Attorney Birkett. "This victim was just 13 years old and is now in a hospital with extensive injuries to his head. If the defendant is convicted of these charges, we will seek to have him held accountable for his vicious actions, and penalized to the extent that the law will allow."
State’s Attorney Birkett praised the Woodridge Police Department for their outstanding investigation of this case, especially Detective Duane Barr and Tactical Officer Steve Edson. In addition, he thanked the Woodridge Police, under the direction of Chief Herron, for their quick response in addressing the concerns of the Woodridge Community as information on this attack became public. In addition, he thanked Assistant State’s Attorney’s Paul Marchese and Kevin Laude for the assistance they gave to the Woodridge Police, and the Downers Grove Police Department for their quick work in locating the defendant’s vehicle.
If found guilty of these offenses, Valerio could serve sentences of 6-30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the Attempt (First Degree Murder) and 2-5 years in prison for the Aggravated Battery. He is expected to appear in bond court tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. where his bond will be set.
"Our prayers are with the victim and his family as they go through this terrible ordeal," noted State’s Attorney Birkett in conclusion.
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.
