Stabbing Homicide of Man by Brother-in-Law Investigated at Apartment Complex on Main Street Near Northside Park, Wheaton

Wheaton police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 6:24 a.m. Sunday April 7, 2019 to a stabbing homicide at the Wheaton Square apartment complex at 1340 North Main Street in Wheaton.

DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney Mandy Meindl said police received two 911 calls at 6:24 a.m. Sunday, one from a neighboring apartment and the other from a woman who said, “My brother killed my husband.”

Wheaton police officers arrived to find a male suspect named Pi Lat standing in the living room by a body that was lying “in a large pool of blood” according to DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney Mandy Meindl. The victim was identified as A Bawi, age 39. Bawi was transported to Level I Trauma Center Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he was pronounced dead. Pi Lat, age 38, was taken into custody at the scene, and charged with murder.

Pi Lat, of Wheaton, is charged with the stabbing death of his brother-in-law, A Bawi, who was allegedly stabbed in the chest as he slept by his brother-in-law.

A woman on the scene was identified as the wife of the homicide victim and the sister of the defendant.

The victim’s wife told police she heard a loud noise and walked into the living room to see her husband standing with a knife sticking out of his chest, according to Meindl. She said Lat was standing nearby with a second knife in his hand, authorities said.

“She tried to get the second knife from her brother, and her husband pulled the (other) knife out of his own chest and collapsed,” according to Assistant State’s Attorney Meindl.

The woman ran to a neighbor’s apartment to get help and put both knives in a bedroom, where they later were recovered.

Pi Lat, a Burmese immigrant with a valid green card, told authorities through an interpreter at the hospital that he had hurt his brother-in-law. In an interview with police, he admitted to stabbing Bawi while the man slept, according to authorities.

Meindl said Lat was on probation for a misdemeanor charge, after he was accused of striking his wife with a folding chair and trying to choke her after she declined sex.

According to a police report relayed by the state’s attorney’s office, Lat made nonsensical statements to Wheaton police. His public defender said Lat originally spoke Burmese to an interpreter, but later on Monday, April 8, he wasn’t speaking a language anyone could understand.

Wheaton police initially did not release any information about the case, except to report that the incident was an “isolated incident.” The City of Wheaton was silent about the elaborate crime scene investigation — located less than 3100 feet from the Wheaton College campus, and less than 2100 feet from the Wheaton North High School campus. The crime scene was also located just east of Northside Park — a large open grounds family park managed by the Wheaton Park District.

Initial official information was confirmed only after the DuPage County coroner’s office confirmed a body had been reported at the crime scene.

“Due to the isolated and contained nature of this crime, initial details were not shared beyond assuring the community there was no additional danger. Limiting the release of information ensures the integrity of the investigation while respecting the victim, the victim’s family, and the criminal justice process.”

— Wheaton Police Chief Bill Murphy (statement after the court hearing)

Pi Lat was held on $3 million bail. Lat would have to post the required 10 percent of his bail ($300,000) to be released from DuPage County jail. While some cases with this level of violence would result in no release with no bail, Pi Lat would have to submit to electronic monitoring, among other conditions of a release if he were able to post $300,000.

Pi Lat’s next scheduled court date is schedule May 6, 2019 with Judge Liam Brennan presiding for arraignment.

^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^

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WHEATON TWEETS …

There will be heavy police presence in the 1300 block of N Main St in Wheaton this morning from an ongoing police investigation. Roadway will remain open. This is an isolated incident and it is contained. No threat to community. Info will be released as it becomes available.

10:00 AM – 7 Apr 2019

Thank you for your patience as Wheaton Police continue to investigate an incident on N Main St. We cannot release any additional information at this time, as we cannot jeopardize the investigation. Please know the community is not in danger and when we can share details, we will.

1:32 PM – 7 Apr 2019

WHEATON TWEET APRIL 8, 2019
Wheaton Police are still investigating incident that took place this weekend near the 1300 block of N Main. The area is safe and public is not at risk in any way. We appreciate everyone’s patience and trust as Police continue to work this investigation.
11:14 AM – Apr 8, 2019