CHARLESTON -- Police officers have made an arrest and are searching for a second suspect in connection with a home invasion incident in which shots were fired Thursday evening just south of Eastern Illinois University's campus.
The Charleston Police Department reported in a press release that officers were dispatched at approximately 6:24 p.m. in response to a shots fired call at 2403 Eighth St. The investigation into this incident resulted in the arrest of Xaki M. Echols, 19, of Chicago on preliminary charges of home invasion and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
A second suspect, Jamarius D. Carpenter, 19, of Chicago, fled the scene and is wanted in connection with this incident.
The press release reported that Echols and Carpenter went to an apartment at 2403 Eighth St. allegedly to complete a drug transaction. Once there, one of the suspects allegedly brandished a firearm in an attempt to rob the occupants. A fight for the handgun reportedly resulted in a single shot being fired inside the apartment.
One suspect, Carpenter, ended up outside the apartment. While outside, Carpenter allegedly fired three shots through the door and into the occupied apartment before fleeing the area.
According to the press release, the occupants of the apartment were able to detain Echols until police arrived and arrested him. Echols was treated at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for non-life threatening injuries and was then released into police custody.
A search warrant was obtained and reportedly resulted in the seizure of 865 grams (1.9 pounds) of cannabis and forensic evidence of the crime. Echols was placed in the Coles County jail. The police department reported that additional charges may be forthcoming.
The Eastern Illinois Police Department, Coles County Sheriff's Office, Coles County Crisis Response Team, East Central Illinois Drug Task Force, and the Coles County State's Attorney Office assisted in this investigation.
Information regarding the whereabouts of Carpenter can be sent in a message to the Charleston Illinois Police Department page on Facebook page or to Coles County Crime Stoppers through the mobile app P3tips at the following link: https://www.p3tips.com/index.htm.
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.