Updated Release – Oswego Police Announce Charges in Fatal Attack at Local Restaurant (Original Release is also attached below)
Arrestee: LEE, Darryl Jr., 19 YOA, 1400 block of S. 3rd Ave, Kankakee
Charges: First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Concealment of Homicidal Death, Aggravated Battery, Armed Robbery, Armed Violence, Burglary
The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Darryl Lee Jr., 19, of Kankakee, with eleven felony counts in connection with the fatal attack that occurred early Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Chick-fil-A restaurant located in the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego.
At approximately 5:00 a.m., Oswego Police were called to the restaurant for a report of a stabbing in progress. Upon arrival, officers located the offender being restrained by two contracted maintenance workers. Officers immediately took the offender into custody and began providing medical aid to one of the workers who had been injured. The Oswego Fire Protection District arrived and assumed care. The injured 20-year-old male was transported to an area hospital and remains in stable condition.
Based on statements made by the offender, officers conducted a protective sweep of the restaurant and discovered another victim inside. That victim has been identified as Tracey J. Land, a 52-year-old man from Bridgeview. Mr. Land was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy was conducted by the Kendall County Coroner’s Office, and the preliminary investigation indicates the individual suffered multiple traumatic injuries, however, the final cause and manner of death will be pending further investigation by the Coroner’s Office and the Oswego Police Department.
Following consultation with the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office, the following charges have been approved against LEE:
- First Degree Murder (Class M Felony)
- Attempted First Degree Murder (Class X Felony)
- Concealment of Homicidal Death (Class 3 Felony)
- Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony)
- Armed Robbery (Class X Felony)
- Armed Violence (Class X Felony)
- Burglary (Class 2 Felony)
Oswego Police Transported LEE to the Kendall County Jail where he remains in custody. He has a hearing on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Investigators determined Mr. Land was making a delivery to the restaurant when, at approximately 3:10 a.m., the offender broke into the restaurant and attacked him with a hammer and a knife. It is believed after killing Mr. Land, the offender remained in the restaurant attempting to clean up the crime scene. The maintenance workers were outside the restaurant unaware the offender was inside and had killed Mr. Land. The offender exited the restaurant at approximately 4:56 a.m. and attacked the 20-year-old male from behind by stabbing him with a knife. Despite his injuries, the man was able to subdue the offender with the assistance of his mother, who was also on site working with him. The Oswego Police Department would like to acknowledge the courageous acts of these two workers, a son and a mother, which resulted in the capture of the offender.
Oswego Police confirmed Lee had a previous interaction with officers for a suspicious circumstances call in September 2025 after he called police saying he observed people in a vehicle with handguns. Responding officers were unable to corroborate the information provided by him. Oswego Police have had no other contact with him.
We would like to thank the multiple agencies who assisted in the investigation including the Montgomery Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, the Kendall County Major Crimes Task Force, the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Kendall County Coroner’s Office.
“This was an unprovoked attack and resulted in a tragic loss of life. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragic incident,” said Oswego Police Chief Bastin. “We are grateful for the bravery of those who intervened and for the coordinated response from our officers, fire personnel, and assisting agencies.”
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Original Release – October 22, 2025
At approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning, Oswego Police were called to the Chick-fil-A restaurant located in the 2700 block of Route 34 for a report of a stabbing. It was reported that the offender was still on scene and was being held down by a victim. Officers arrived on scene within four minutes of being dispatched, and the offender, an adult male, was immediately taken into custody. Once the offender was secured, officers immediately began administering medical aid to the injured victim until members of the Oswego Fire Protection District arrived and took over care. The offender was transported to the Oswego Police Department where he remains in custody.
Based on statements made by the offender at the scene, officers conducted a protective sweep of the restaurant and located another victim, who was unresponsive. Medical aid was attempted; however, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending formal identification by the Kendall County Coroner’s Office.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the offender first attacked an adult male inside the restaurant at approximately 3:10 a.m. based on restaurant video surveillance timestamps. The deceased victim, a delivery driver, was inside the restaurant when it is believed the offender broke through the back door to gain entry. Once inside, the offender attacked the victim and killed him.
The second victim, an adult male, who was a contracted maintenance worker, was outside the restaurant when the offender attacked him at approximately 4:56 a.m. A witness who observed the attack called police and together with the victim subdued the offender until police arrived. The victim sustained serious injuries in the attack and was transported to a hospital for treatment. As of this evening, his condition is considered to be stable. The witness was not injured. We are grateful for the actions of these two individuals, whose efforts to restrain the offender and call police directly led to the offender’s capture.
As a precautionary measure, unclaimed property that was located close to the scene was inspected by the Kane County Bomb Squad who determined there was no threat to public safety. The Kendall County Major Crimes Task Force was activated to assist with the investigation and processing of the scene. The Kendall County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene. Police are still investigating a motive for the attacks and are working with the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine criminal charges.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.
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Any charges are merely an accusation and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty
