**Updated 11:20am 3-27-23**
In a press conference on Monday, the Macomb Police Department identified the the suspect and deceased victim involved in the Macomb house party shooting.
Police identified Donell D. Williams, 23, of Macomb as the suspect. Police said Williams is a former Western Illinois University student.
According to police, Williams was in possession of a felony amount of illegal drugs and a firearm. This led to the charge of armed violence.
At this time, it is believed that victims that have been treated at a hospital or trauma center will recover.
The deceased, Jerman Beathea, a 26-year-old male from Chicago, died at the scene as a result of gun shot wounds
The Macomb Police Department responded to a call of shots fired at an off-campus house party, located in the 500 block of North Johnson Street, around 1:55 a.m. on Saturday (March 25). It is believed an altercation began and gunfire erupted. The event is believed to be an isolated incident and no further risk to the public exists.
Ten people were wounded, many with superficial gunshot wounds, and transported to McDonough District Hospital in Macomb. Six of the injured were Western Illinois University students. We are not releasing the names of the injured parties.
One person was pronounced deceased at the crime scene. Authorities are not releasing the name of the deceased pending family notification, but the subject is not a WIU student.
With the assistance of area law enforcement and hospital staff, MDH implemented lockdown procedures as a precautionary measure. All victims and injured parties received prompt and urgent care. Some of the victims from the incident were triaged at MDH then transferred to area Level One Trauma Centers by ambulance. Weather prohibited helicopter evacuation, at the time.
This is an on-going investigation. Members of the Macomb Police Department, McDonough County Sheriff’s Office, McDonough County State’s Attorney’s Office, McDonough County Coroner’s Office, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (Zone 4), the West Central Illinois Task Force, the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation.
Macomb Fire Department, Lifeguard Ambulance, and Galesburg Area EMS Ambulance assisted with providing critical, emergent care to wounded.
It is likely video or photos before, or during, the incident exist. Individual(s) with information, photos, or video are urged to call Crime Stoppers at (309) 836-3222, all calls will remain anonymous. Video and photos can be emailed to: citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.
Western Illinois University Athletics events will be canceled for the weekend; all other University events will continue unless otherwise announced.
The University Counseling Center will be open for walk-ins or appointments for support services from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today. Students can call (309) 298-2453.
Because this is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time. News Media will be notified through our regular channels when more information can be released.
For more updates, follow facebook.com/macombpolice
***Courtesy of the Macomb Police Department***
