Carpentersville victim knew shooter, chief says

A 25-year-old man gunned down outside his Carpentersville home early Saturday morning was a loving father and dependable friend, those who knew him said Monday.

Joseph Vonner was found about 12:30 a.m. Saturday in the front yard of his home on the 100 block of Amarillo Drive with a bullet wound to the head.

"He was a people person with very few enemies," said Holly Sikora, 26, of Elgin, the mother of Vonner's 4-year-old daughter. The pair met as students in 1997 at Elgin High School. "He was a very caring person and as good an individual you could ever meet. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone."

Authorities say Vonner knew his assailant and police have a person they would like to interview, Carpentersville Police Chief David Neumann said Monday.

Vonner was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin where he was pronounced dead.

Police said there was no evidence that suggested the shooting was gang-related. Neumann said the victim and the suspected shooter were acquainted, but he refused to elaborate on the pair's relationship.

"I don't think people need to be worried," Neumann said. "They did know each other, but we are not releasing any information as to the reasons why they knew each other."

Police continue to investigate and new information was unavailable Monday.

"We are investigating fully and we hope to have some resolution shortly," Neumann said.