Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was rocked by a deadly shooting early Sunday morning, leaving two men dead and several others injured following an event attended by over 100 individuals. Law enforcement reported the incident occurred just before 12:50 a.m. in the 600 block of South 15th Street.
Upon arrival, police found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Seven individuals were transported to local hospitals, some arriving prior to police intervention, according to Assistant Police Chief Travis Chapman. Tragically, two men succumbed to their injuries: Zomarrius Williams, 20, of Mt. Vernon, and Demonta Woodward, 26, from nearby Mounds.
In connection with the shooting, authorities have taken Jerria Smith, 22, of Mt. Vernon, into custody. She faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice and is currently held at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The police have indicated that more arrests could follow as the investigation progresses.
While investigators have not established a motive, they are actively pursuing leads and are urging community members to cooperate. Mayor John Lewis expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of information from attendees of the unauthorized gathering. “It is very disheartening to me… that we are not getting any cooperation,” he said, highlighting the community’s urgency to address the violence.
Lewis, a former Illinois State Police officer, emphasized that such violence would not be tolerated. “We will not stop nor rest until those responsible are brought to justice,” he declared, reaffirming his commitment to ensure public safety and community trust.
The shooting has left a profound impact on the close-knit city of approximately 14,000 residents, located around 80 miles from St. Louis. Local officials are working diligently to gather additional information and have requested that anyone with knowledge of the incident come forward.
Residents can contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department or CrimeStoppers with tips or evidence related to the shooting, including photos or videos. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to piece together the events leading to this tragic incident.