Breaking News
Cody McGuire & David McGuire Charged in Gillespie Shooting
Two 19-year-old Granite City men have been charged in connection with the shooting of a 30-year-old male late Wednesday night in Gillespie, according to Illinois State Police.
The office of Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson confirmed late Thursday that Cody R. McGuire (pictured top left), 19, of Granite City is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated battery in connection with the the shooting of Lee Jason Walton, 30, in Gillespie. McGuire is accused of shooting Walton in the face and chest with a .38 caliber handgun.
David P. McGuire (pictured top right), 19, also of Granite City is charged with aggravated battery for allegedly causing great bodily harm to Walton by striking Walton in the head with his fist.
ISP Master Sgt. Dave Wasmuth said Thursday that the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department received a call shortly before midnight reporting a shooting in the 700 block of West Gillespie Street in Gillespie. Gillespie City Police and Macoupin County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly responded to the scene where they found Walton suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Wasmuth said the two suspects fled the scene on foot and were located a short time later hiding in a garage near the crime scene. Both men were transported to Macoupin County Jail.
The victim was transported to a Springfield hospital, where he was listed in critical condition late Thursday, according to Wasmuth.
A caller to the South County News on Thursday, who did not identify herself, said she was a friend of Walton’s. She said Walton formerly resided in Carlinville and currently resides in Litchfield. She indicated Walton was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Wasmuth said it is unknown whether the victim was a member of the household where the shooting took place or whether he was a guest.
Gillespie Police Chief Dean Plovich referred all inquiries to the Illinois State Police, which is handling the investigation.
“It’s too early for us to know any motive,” Wasmuth said. “We’re still working on whether the suspects from Granite City knew the victim or whether there was any relationship between them.”
Both suspects were scheduled to make an initial appearance in Macoupin County Circuit Court on Friday.
Written by David Ambrose
Comments
Another major winter storm is forecasted to blanket the BenGil area in heavy rains, flooding and snowfall starting Wednesday night through Thursday.
The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving them plenty of room to do their jobs.”
The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix of precipitation to start with thunderstorms and heavy rain in much of the state this evening, converting to freezing rain overnight before turning to snow Thursday morning. In addition to localized flooding, ice and sleet accumulations are likely, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions.
Due to the rainy conditions ahead of temperatures falling overnight, the effectiveness of pretreating and salting surfaces in advance of significant snowfall will be limited. The public should anticipate icy conditions even when roads appear clear and greatly reduce speeds.
“As the Illinois State Police plans to take on the unpredictable Illinois weather, we would like to remind motorists to do their part in keeping the roads a safe place,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP, alongside IDOT and other agencies, will be working in hazardous weather conditions. Please remember to slow down, stay vigilant and move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road.”
Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your following distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.
Comments
Police are investigating the death of a Bunker Hill woman who was found dead at the end of her driveway near the roadway on Monday morning, January 31.
Nancy Blycker, 91, had multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane around 7:40 a.m. on Monday.
The initial suspicion was homicide, according to a release by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis who said approximately 20 investigators were working the investigation, but the autopsy contradicted that suspicion.
The Major Case Squad said on Tuesday it is “highly unlikely” Blycker’s death was the “result of homicidal means.”
The Major Case Squad turned the case back over to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death is pending further lab analysis.
Comments
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area.
The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible power outages.
“All indications continue to point to a disruptive, impactful, and dangerous winter storm impacting the region starting late tonight and lasting through Thursday night,” the National Weather Service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.
The BenGil area is expected to receive heavy mixed precipitation including snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph on Thursday.
The storm is expected to start with rain most of the day today before transitioning into a mixture of freezing rain and/or sleet Tuesday night, then all snow Wednesday morning or as late as Wednesday afternoon continuing until about noon on Thursday.
