Published on April 23, 2026 7:10 am
Last Updated on April 23, 2026 7:10 am
(SAMUELS)
Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Special Agents have arrested 21-year-old Shavonte D. Samuels of Centralia, following a deadly shooting in Centralia.
The Centralia Police Department Sunday 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.
ISP Special Agents and Centralia Police later Sunday identified Samuels as a suspect. On Tuesday, ISP Special Agents located Samuels and took him into custody. That same day, 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.
