Money, drugs may have prompted Carpentersville murder

The shooting death of a 25-year-old man in Carpentersville last fall may have been sparked by an argument over drugs or money, police said at an inquest Wednesday.

Joseph Vonner of DeKalb died Oct. 10, 2009, after he was shot from behind in the back and head outside a party on the 100 block of Amarillo Drive. At the inquest, Carpentersville Police Cmdr. Dean Stiegemeier testified that an argument preceded the shooting, which happened as Vonner was leaving the residence.

"We're not totally clear right now," Stiegemeier said. "We believe there might have been some money exchanged and possible drugs involved."

Errick Brown, who lives at the home where the party was thrown and was identified by witnesses as the shooter, was arrested on first-degree murder charges earlier this month after 11 weeks in hiding.

Vonner's father, Dannie Thompson of Elgin, said his son had been staying with a friend who lived at the residence with Brown for four or five months while he and his wife sorted through some marital issues. Thompson said he'd heard that an unidentified man at the house had been giving his son trouble in the weeks before his death.

"Even if it was drugs, are you going to kill a person? Is it worth that?" Thompson said Wednesday, fighting back tears. "He's somebody I'm going to miss for the rest of my life. It took a big piece of my heart. It hurts every day."

According to Stiegemeier, at least four shots were fired, and Vonner was hit twice. "Both shots probably would have been fatal," he said.

Deputy Kane County Coroner Amy Renwick said Vonner tested positive for traces of alcohol and marijuana. The jury ruled his death homicidal.

According to relatives and friends, the father of four had been making strides to overcome personal challenges when he was gunned down. He had started a new job as a shipping laborer and seemed to be working through his marital problems, they said.

"He was a loving person and my best friend," said Jessica Phillips of Elgin, who attended the inquest with Thompson. "He just loved everybody and loved making people happy. He had no enemies."

Brown, 39, turned himself over to police nearly three months after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He remained in the county jail Wednesday on a $2 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a status hearing.