Romel Gilliam, a 26-year-old African American man from Milan, Illinois, was shot and killed on May 23, 2022, in the 300 block of South Ninth Street in Monmouth. The shooting occurred about 7 p.m.; Gilliam was found with severe injuries, taken to OSF Holy Family Medical Center, and later died of those wounds. Authorities described the incident as connected to a botched drug deal rather than a random attack.

An 18-year-old Monmouth man, Spencer Sage, turned himself in on May 25, 2022, and was charged with first-degree murder. Investigators say Sage fired shots from a vehicle during the incident. Bond was set at $500,000 and a public defender was appointed. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 23, 2022, and investigators continued to look into the possibility of additional suspects or charges.

Anyone who was in the area that evening or who may have information about the shooting or the alleged drug transaction is asked to contact the Monmouth Police Department.