Streamwood police hunting for suspect wanted in siblings’ stabbing deaths

Streamwood police are searching for a 25-year-old man wanted in connection with the stabbing deaths of two sisters Wednesday evening.

The suspect, Jalonie Jenkins, is considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. Police urge anyone who comes into contact with him to call 911 and not to approach him.

The suspect is reportedly the brother of the victims, 21-year-old Janiya Jenkins and 10-year-old Uyani Jones, according to friends and neighbors.

Bensenville police reported finding the suspect’s car at Redmond Park. A search of the park using drones and police dogs was unsuccessful. Several specialty emergency dive crews searched the lake at the park as well Thursday, but nothing was found.

Streamwood police were called to a townhouse on the 1600 block of McKool Avenue at about 7:50 p.m. for a reported stabbing, according to information police released on social media.

Both the woman and girl were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s officer, which also provided the victims’ names. Autopsies are expected Friday.

Investigators were at the townhouse Thursday. Crime scene tape is still up at the townhouse complex.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told ABC 7 Chicago her daughter’s best friend was the younger victim. The two girls were on the phone with each other at the time of the attack, she said.

“She heard the screaming,” the woman said. “They were on the phone together and she was like, ‘I don't know what's going on at Uyani's house, but can you look out the window?’”

Minutes later, Uyani's younger brother came to the neighbor's door asking that she call his mother, who was at work.

She did after walking over to see the crime scene herself.

“I walked up the stairs and I saw blood and stuff everywhere,” she said. “I see the oldest girl laid there, I see the little girl she's laid out. I'm on the phone with the mom. I'm telling her, ‘Oh my God your kids are gone.’”

Janiya Jenkins’ close friend Jasmine Marshall visited the scene and spoke with the media Thursday.

Marshall, who lives in Chicago, said Janiya was studying to be a nurse. She also said she leaves behind a child.

Marshall said Janiya was there for her when she was grieving the death of her son.

“I lost my son,” she said. “Even though I had other friends, she was a real friend. She came when it was snowing. She was there like nobody else.”

Marshall recalled how her friend went out of her way to make time for her.

“We went out. We cried together. We went shopping together. We did everything a real friend would do. I never had a friend like her,” she said.

Uyani Jones was a student at Parkwood Elementary School, while Janiya Jenkins graduated from Streamwood High School, Elgin Area Unit District 46 confirmed.

The district issued a statement saying grief counselors were available for students and staff.

“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of one of our students,” the statement read. “We understand that we may have students and/or employees who are aware of the situation and may need support. We will have a crisis team available at Parkwood Elementary from 1-3 p.m. on Friday for students and employees who are affected. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to this family and all who are grieving.”

Gabriela Morales, a Hanover Park mom whose children attend Parkwood Elementary School, left flowers at a memorial by a tree growing beside the apartment complex.

“It's affecting everyone. My kids go to school with them, so they couldn't even sleep,” she said. “We just need to hug our kids more. As a community, we definitely have to come together.”

Morales is hopeful the suspect turns himself into authorities.

“I hope that he comes forward and recognizes what he did, and takes accountability,” she said.

A neighbor, Toni Johnson, said her daughter went to Streamwood High School with the suspect. She said she was shocked and concerned when she heard what happened and that her former classmate might be involved.

In a statement, Streamwood Police Chief Shawn Taylor called the sisters’ deaths “tragic.”

“Our deepest sympathies are with the families of these young victims,” he said. “We are working hard to bring a swift resolution to this case so the families can grieve.”

Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call police at (630) 736-3700 or leave a message on the Streamwood Police Department confidential tip line at (630) 736-3719.

ABC 7 Chicago contributed to this report.