Leroy Roberson, 26, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was shot to death on December 25, 2015, in the parking lot of Party Liquors, a bar in Centralia. Roberson became involved in an altercation outside the business. Demetrice Lockett, 28, of Mulberry Grove, intervened in the fight, went to his vehicle, retrieved a firearm and fired a shot that struck Roberson in the buttocks; the bullet traveled to his heart and caused his death.

Lockett was arrested and initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder. His charges were later reduced to second-degree murder; he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and received a 16-year prison sentence with credit for time served from his arrest the night of the shooting, followed by two years mandatory supervised release. The court record noted Lockett said he fired to protect a friend, a belief the court found unreasonable. Roberson’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced charge and plea deal.

Are there witnesses or additional details about the altercation that anyone in the Centralia area can share?