JOLIET, Ill. — Two Will County sheriff’s deputies were wounded by gunfire Tuesday while trying to enter a Joliet home as part of a drug investigation.
Kevin Waddell, 42, and Steven Johnson, 62, have been charged in the incident, which occurred about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday as two deputies tried to execute a search warrant in the 200 block of Richards Street in Joliet.
The deputies were trying to break through a rear door when someone inside fired four shots through the door, authorities said. A sergeant was shot in his bulletproof vest; another deputy was grazed in his arm. Both were treated at a hospital and released.
Waddell and Johnson ran from the home and were quickly arrested, authorities said. Deputies didn’t fire any shots.
Waddell is the accused gunman. He’s on parole for a federal drug crime and is now charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, armed violence, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a weapon by a felon.
Johnson is charged with armed violence, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a weapon by a felon.
Bail for each man on Wednesday was set at $20 million. The last time bail was set that high in Will County was for Drew Peterson, who was eventually convicted of murdering his third wife.
Police recovered four guns, three of which were loaded, and 10 grams of crack cocaine.
Johnson worked as a custodian at a church across the street. The church also owned the building where Johnson and Waddell lived. A pastor said the church was unaware of Johnson’s alleged goings-on.