Centralia, IL – A 21-year-old man is in custody following a deadly shooting in Centralia that left one person dead and three others injured earlier this week in southern Illinois.
According to Illinois State Police, the shooting happened Sunday, April 19, in the 900 block of Kell Street in Centralia, located in Marion County. Local police requested assistance from state investigators as multiple victims were transported to an area hospital with gunshot wounds.
Authorities say one of the victims, 19-year-old Stephen McCary III, later died from his injuries. Three additional victims survived but sustained gunshot wounds. Their current conditions have not been publicly released.
Following what officials described as a “swift and thorough investigation,” Illinois State Police and Centralia Police identified Shavonte D. Samuels, 21, of Centralia, as the suspect. He was taken into custody on Tuesday, April 21.
Prosecutors have since filed multiple charges against Samuels, who allegedly faces first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Samuels remains in custody at the Marion County Jail as prosecutors seek to deny pretrial release. Authorities have not released additional details about what led up to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say no further information is available at this time.
