John Pruitt, a 37-year-old African American man from Carbondale, Illinois, was killed on October 3, 2022. Officers were called to the 700 block of South Lewis Lane after reports of gunfire and found Pruitt with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators reported Pruitt had been involved in an ongoing dispute with 29-year-old David Edwards Jr., also of Carbondale; that conflict reportedly escalated and resulted in the shooting. Two other men, 27-year-old Lawrence Abernathy of Carbondale and 26-year-old Anthony S. Spruille of Carterville, were arrested during a vehicle stop near the scene and charged with obstruction of justice; both were later released on recognizance bonds. Multiple local agencies assisted in the investigation.

If anyone in Carbondale remembers the incident or has information about the dispute between Pruitt and Edwards, please share what is known.