By JACKSON ROZINSKY, NEWS3 Reporter & NEWS3 Staff
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) – Macomb Police Department released on Thursday, March 30, that another person in connection with the recent Macomb shooting was arrested. Demond E. Wilson Jr. of Calumet Park, Illinois, was arrested on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and has a bond set at 750,000 dollars. Wilson was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the McDonough County Jail.
On Saturday, March 25th, the MPD confirmed that six Western Illinois university students were injured along with four others and one person was confirmed dead in a shooting in Macomb on the same day. The shooting occurred at a house party that MPD responded to after gunshots were reported at 1:55 a-m held at 5-3-3 north johnson street.
The victim of the fatal shooting was Jerman Bethea, a 26 year-old male from Chicago, who died at the scene as a result of gunshot wounds.
Earlier this week, MPD arrested Donnel D. Williams, age 23 of Macomb, who was in possession of a handgun and has been connected to the crime scene of the shooting. Williams was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the McDonough County Courthouse on possession of a ghost gun, as well as 1.5 pounds of cannabis with intent to distribute, and armed violence. Williams is being held on a $500,000 bond and appeared upset at the announcement, his representation said that he would not be able to pay it on his own.
The names of the injured are still not being released by MPD, however a NEWS3 reporter and WIU student, Jermaria Jackson was among the injured. Jackson sustained five gunshot wounds, a broken leg, and was taken to a trauma one hospital for surgery after being stabilized at McDonough District Hospital. According to MPD, many of the injured suffered superficial gunshot wounds.
MPD stated that the investigation is ongoing and has provided an image of a person that witness investigators need help identifying. This person is not a suspect, but is believed to have important information regarding the shooting incident over the weekend.
MPD said it is likely video of the incident exists. Any individuals with information or video are urged to contact the CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.
UPDATE | Williams held on $500,000 bond in Macomb fatal shooting
By JACKSON ROZINSKY, NEWS3 Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) – Donell D. Williams, age 23, of Macomb, was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today at the McDonough County Courthouse on charges of possession of a firearm, specifically a “ghost gun,” and possession of 1.5 pounds of cannabis with intent to distribute, and Armed Violence.
Williams is being held on a $500,000 bond. Williams appeared distraught when the county judge stated the bond amount. Williams’ representation stated that he could not pay it and would have to talk to his friends and family for money. Williams would be responsible for 10 percent of the bond, which is $50,000, according to Illinoislegalaid.org.
The preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m., April 12. The charges hold a minimum prison sentence of 15 years.
A ghost gun is a firearm that is privately assembled and untraceable and do not have serial numbers, according to NPR.
MPD released that the victim of the fatal shooting on March 25 was Jerman Beathea, a 26 year old male from Chicago, who died at the scene as a result of gun shot wounds.
There were 10 others injured in the shooting, six of which were reportedly Western Illinois University students. Investigators reported that they are gathering evidence throughout the investigation, “more arrests may be forthcoming.”
MPD released that “at this time, it is believed that victims that have been treated at a hospital or trauma center will recover.”
For those that left behind belongings at the shooting incident on March 25, Macomb Police Department has set up a pick up time of 3 p.m. today at 5:33 p.m. N. Johnson Street.
MPD said it is likely video of the incident exists. Any individuals with information or video are urged to contact the CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.Â
UPDATE | Victim’s name released in fatal shooting, person of interest arrested
By JACKSON ROZINSKY, NEWS3 Reporter & THE PROXY REPORT STAFF
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) – Macomb Police Department has released the name of the person of interest that was arrested. Donell D. Williams, age 23, of Macomb, was in possession of a handgun and has been linked to the crime scene, reported MPD.
The McDonough County Circuit Clerk stated that Williams will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m., today at the McDonough County Courthouse. WGEM has released that that MPD stated that Williams was a former Western Illinois University student.
Williams was also reportedly in possession of a felony amount of illegal drugs, along with the firearm, which led to the Armed Violence charge. MPD stated that there is no on-going threat to the public or campus at this time in the release on March 27.
MPD released that the victim of the fatal shooting on March 25 was Jerman Beathea, a 26 year old male from Chicago, who died at the scene as a result of gun shot wounds.
There were 10 others injured in the shooting, six of which were reportedly Western Illinois University students. Investigators reported that they are gathering evidence throughout the investigation, “more arrests may be forthcoming.”
MPD released that “at this time, it is believed that victims that have been treated at a hospital or trauma center will recover.”
For those that left behind belongings at the shooting incident on March 25, Macomb Police Department has set up a pick up time of 3 p.m. today at 5:33 p.m. N. Johnson Street.
MPD said it is likely video of the incident exists. Any individuals with information or video are urged to contact the CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.Â
UPDATE | Person of interest arrested, charged in Macomb fatal shooting
By JACKSON ROZINSKY, NEWS3 Reporter & THE PROXY REPORT STAFF
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — The Macomb Police Department have arrested and charged a person of interest with Armed Violence, a class X felony, in the shooting that resulted in one death and 10 injured.
MPD responded to gun shots at 1:55 a.m. on March 25 in the 500 block of North Johnson Street. Six of the 10 injured were Western Illinois University students.
The name of the deceased, name of the injured, and the name of the person of interest are not being released at this time, according to MPD. Many of the 10 others that were injured, according to MPD, suffered superficial gun shot wounds.
MPD stated that the investigation is ongoing and more evidence was collected during the investigation, specifically the arrest of the person of interest, and will be further examined.
MPD reported that several personal items were left behind in the house where the incident occurred. Those that left property were able to go to 533 N. Johnson Street at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, to collect belongings.
MPD said it is likely video of the incident exists. Any individuals with information or video are urged to contact the CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.Â
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UPDATE | Six WIU students wounded during shooting at party on March 25, one other dead and four others injured
By JACKSON ROZINSKY, NEWS3 Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — The Macomb Police Department has confirmed that one person is dead and 10 others injured and are being treated for gunshot wounds that occurred during a house party. Six of the 10 were Western Illinois University students. MPD responded to gun shots at 1:55 a.m. on March 25 in the 500 block of North Johnson Street.Â
The name of the deceased and the name of the injured are not being released at this time, according to MPD.
Many of the injured, according to MPD, suffered superficial gun shot wounds. MPD announced that area law enforcement and hospital staff implemented lockdown procedures as a precautionary measure at the McDonough District Hospital. Some of the shooting victims from the incident were stabilized at MDH and then transferred to area hospitals for treatment.
MPD and the WIU Office of Public Safety have notified the public and the campus community about the incident. MPD stated that it is believed to have been an isolated incident, however the campus community is being urged to be aware of their surroundings.
Members of the Macomb Police Department, McDonough County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Lifeguard Ambulance, and Galesburg Area EMS Ambulance have been on scene.Â
MPD said it is likely video of the incident exists. Any individuals with information or video are urged to contact the CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.Â
A media briefing occurred at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Macomb City Hall Community Room, 232 E. Jackson.
