Politics & Government

Mayor, Chamber React to Stabbing at Downtown Bar

Mayor A. George Pradel and officials at the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Naperville Alliance issued statements Monday in response to the stabbing death of Shaun Wild at a downtown bar.

Naperville officials to the death of teacher , 24, who was stabbed to death early Saturday morning at a bar in downtown Naperville.

Wild, a second-grade teacher at in , was out Friday night at with friend and native . After words were exchanged with , 27, police said Olaska , fatally wounding Wild, who attempted to intercede on Hayes’ behalf. Hayes and Raphael Castaneda, a bar bouncer, were also injured.

"Our has been faced with a very unfortunate situation," Mayor A. George Pradel said in a statement Monday. "It has brought us to our knees as we realize how tragedy can strike in a matter of seconds. Immediate reaction on the part of our emergency services, the business owner, , School District 204 and the religious community reveals the love and care Naperville residents have for each other. Naperville is a community that reacts to tragedy with deep love and concern. This morning, the second-grade class at Spring Brook Elementary has no teacher. Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who mourn with us as we face rebuilding our lives together." 

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A bond hearing for Olaska was held Sunday morning. Due to the severity of the crime, Judge Neal Cerne set bond at $3 million after determining that Olaska, who had no criminal background, was a danger to the community.

Along with Mayor Pradel, officials from the and the Downtown Naperville Alliance also issued statements Monday.

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Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Schmitt and Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood released the following joint statement: 

“From the moment we learned of this tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of Naperville’s business community have been with the families of those involved. Now is the time for reflection, to celebrate the life that was and offer our prayers for the lives that are forever changed.

“Violent crime is always shocking and shakes a community and its families to the core. This incident reminds us that needless acts of heinous violence have no place in our community or society.

“When we witness such a needless loss of life and violence against others, we are often pained by the inexplicability of the circumstances and cause. There will be a time and a place to review the particulars of this terrible incident and to try to take away whatever lessons are to be learned. But, our community’s focus must remain on caring for the families, students, and friends who must deal with the burden of this tragedy.”

Castaneda was treated for his injuries and released Saturday. Hayes Monday morning from and is recovering at home in Lemont.

were announced late Monday. According to , Wild's visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, with a memorial service at 7 p.m. The visitation and memorial will be at Brown Deer High School, 8060 N. 60th St., Brown Deer, WI. A funeral service is set for 12:30 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7152 N. 41st St., Milwaukee.


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