CENTRALIA – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Special Agents arrested 21-year-old Shavonte D. Samuels of Centralia, IL following a deadly shooting in Centralia.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
On April 19, 2026, the Centralia Police Department requested ISP’s assistance with a shooting investigation in the 900 block of Kell Street. Four total victims were transported to an area hospital with gunshot wounds. One of the victims, 19-year-old Stephen McCary III, was later pronounced deceased.
After a swift and thorough investigation, ISP Special Agents and Centralia Police identified Samuels as a suspect. On April 21, 2026, ISP Special Agents located Samuels and took him into custody. On April 21, 2026, ISP Special Agents presented the case to Marion County State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth who filed charges for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony), two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder (Class X Felony), Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), four counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony), and Felon in Possession of a Weapon (Class 3 Felony).
Samuels remains in custody at the Marion County Jail pending a hearing on the State’s request that he be denied pretrial release. There is no further information.
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
