MOUNT VERNON, IL – A teenager was shot and killed on Saturday, January 13th,, at around 4 pm in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Police Department received a 911 call with screaming but no specific details about the emergency. Officers were promptly dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of Lamar.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 16-year-old female resident who had been shot. They also encountered a 16-year-old male holding a handgun. The officers successfully took the male teenager into custody and secured the firearm without further incident.
Medical personnel from the Mount Vernon Fire Department and Litton’s Ambulance Service were dispatched to the scene. The 16-year-old female victim was transported to a local hospital, where she was later declared deceased. The police department has stated they will not be releasing any information regarding the identity of the victim.
The male teenager was taken to the Mount Vernon Police Department for processing. After consultation with the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office, he is being detained on preliminary charges including Armed Violence/Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Involuntary Manslaughter, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18. These charges may be amended as the investigation progresses.
This incident is notably not the first encounter between the police and the accused teenager. In April 2023, he was arrested by the Mount Vernon Police after a dispatcher observed him with a handgun. After fleeing and being apprehended, he was found in possession of a loaded firearm and additional ammunition, leading to his detention on multiple charges.
At the time of this latest incident, the teenager was on parole, and the Illinois Department of Corrections has been notified, potentially resulting in a parole violation warrant. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, with additional officers and members of the detective division involved.