Stephen McCary III, 19, was fatally shot on April 19, 2026, just after 5 p.m. in the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia, Illinois. Centralia police found McCary wounded at the scene; he was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead by the Marion County Coroner. Three others were injured and later released after treatment.

The Illinois State Police took over the investigation at the request of Centralia officers, with assistance from multiple neighboring agencies and municipal police departments. Investigators described the shooting as targeted and said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Portable lighting from several fire departments was used while officers processed the scene overnight.

On April 21, 2026, 21-year-old Shavonte D. Samuels of Centralia was arrested and charged by the Marion County State’s Attorney with First Degree Murder in McCary’s death, two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder for injuries to Lorenzo Williams and Aaryanna Jackson, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, four counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Samuels is being held at the Marion County Jail pending a hearing on pretrial release.

Did anyone in Centralia see activity on East Kell Street that evening or have information about the events leading up to the shooting?