Crime & Safety
Kankakee County, IL Shooting: Wrong Twin Freed, Brother Now Charged
Kankakee, IL – A man initially arrested in connection with an October shooting in Kankakee has been released from custody after police determined that his twin brother was the suspected shooter, marki
By Rachel Monroe · 2026-11-03T16:46:52.075Z
Kankakee, IL – A man initially arrested in connection with an October shooting in Kankakee has been released from custody after police determined that his twin brother was the suspected shooter, marking a significant reversal in the investigation.
According to the Kankakee Police Department , investigators conducted an extensive review of the Oct. 26 shooting near East Court Street and North Rosewood Avenue and determined that the individual allegedly responsible was not 28 year old Dezuan S. Turner Owens, who had originally been arrested.
Instead, investigators identified his twin brother, 28 year old Dejour J. Turner Owens of Kankakee, as the suspect.
The original incident occurred at approximately 9:52 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, when officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and reports of gunfire.
Police located a 39 year old Kankakee man suffering from gunshot injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery.
Investigators initially identified Dezuan Turner Owens as the suspected shooter through witness interviews, surveillance footage and other investigative efforts.
He was arrested later that afternoon in Bourbonnais on allegations of aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.
However, the investigation subsequently changed direction.
On Monday, Nov. 2, police executed a search warrant in the 1700 block of East Cedar Street in Kankakee and arrested Dejour Turner Owens.
Authorities confirmed that Dejour is being held at the Jerome Combs Detention Center and faces charges including attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and additional firearm related offenses.
Dezuan Turner Owens, the originally arrested brother, has since been released from custody, according to Tuesday's police update.
Police Chief Christopher Kidwell praised investigators for continuing to examine available evidence, which ultimately led to the revised suspect identification.
The department has not explained what specific evidence established the mistaken identification or whether the original charges against Dezuan have been formally dismissed.
The investigation remains ongoing.