2 brothers killed, 5 others injured in Kankakee New Year's party shooting

KANKAKEE, Ill. - Two men were killed and five other people were wounded during a mass shooting at a New Year's party in Kankakee.

Shots were fired around 4 a.m. inside a home in the 1800 block of Pierson Parkway, according to city officials.

Kankakee police tell us there were 50 people inside the home at the time of the shooting. Someone who was at the party tells FOX32 it was advertised on social media and this property is known in Kankakee as the "after-party house."

"One too many lives is one too many, but to start off, four hours in the year with two homicides is devastating," said Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis.

Officers found four people suffering from gunshot wounds in the home and they were transported to nearby hospitals.

"Upon arrival, we encountered several people running out of the house and our officers found a gunshot victim and three additional gunshot victims," said Kankakee Police Chief Chris Kidwell.

Later, police found out another three victims drove themselves to the hospital. Two brothers died and were identified as 22-year-old Quaysean T. Isom, of Kankakee, and 20-year-old Trevontae Ellis, of Pembroke Township.  

The other five people wounded, which included three women, are expected to survive.  

"We believe that there is, you know, shooting going back and forth between individuals inside the house. So, I would say there was an excess of 30 rounds fired inside the house," said Chief Kidwell, who added they found two weapons outside the home and a teenager who they are questioning as a person of interest.

"He was hiding in the backyard along the fence. So, that's where they took him into custody and they ultimately found a firearm back there, too," said Chief Kidwell.

Mayor Curtis told FOX32 they had just three homicides in 2024, and shootings have decreased 53% in the last three years. To start off the new year like this is devastating.

"We have, we have a good detective bureau and they've been working all day on their day off. So I have a lot of not just hope. I believe they will find what needs to be found," said the mayor.

There is still no motive and charges have not been filed. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kankakee police at (815) 933-0426.