Justen Holman, 21, of Plainfield, was charged with first–degree murder last week.
At about 12:48 p.m. on Dec. 20, Holman allegedly called 911 and told a Joliet Dispatcher that he had committed a crime and needed to turn himself in. He advised the dispatcher that he was parked in front of the OfficeMax store, located at 1520 N. Larking Ave. in Joliet, in a dark blue Dodge Charger and that he had a weapon in his backpack.
The officers asked him for his name and patted him down for weapons. As they patted him down, Holman allegedly admitted to killing someone. One of the officers asked Holman if he had killed someone at his residence, and he allegedly said yes.
Inside, officers located a woman lying on the bed with no signs of life. She had gunshot wounds to her legs and shell casings were found on the bedroom floor next to the victim.
Holman allegedly told detectives that about three days prior, he got into an argument with his mother, who was identified as Bernadette Quasie, due to him not signing a life insurance policy.
He then stated that his father allegedly pressured him to sign the life insurance policy, but he declined.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and allegedly found a firearm in a backpack in the trunk as well as a magazine for the gun in the console of the vehicle.
After shooting his mother, Holman allegedly told police that he contemplated committing suicide or turning himself in.
While investigating the fatal shooting, police spoke with Holman’s sister, who said that their mother included her in an email that was sent to Holman. The subject of the email was titled “30-day notice to vacate premises.”
Holman said he didn’t see the notice, but that his mother told him about it. He told detectives that he didn’t think she was serious about it.
Holman’s grandmother allegedly told police that Holman didn’t want to work and could barely hold down a job. She said her daughter was trying to get him to keep a job and pay some of the bills in the residence.
On Dec. 19, the grandmother said her daughter told her that Holman had stolen her anxiety medicine and had been drinking.
Holman’s mother allegedly told his grandmother that he had social disorders, but never saw a doctor for it. It is also alleged that Holman’s mother knew he had a gun and was instructed to get rid of it.
