Cornelius S. Smith, a 27-year-old man known to loved ones as a loving father to two little girls who enjoyed family time, making music, and fishing, was killed in a shooting on the morning of Friday, January 9, 2026. The violence erupted just before 11 a.m. in Decatur, Illinois, during what began as a child exchange.
The incident unfolded when 26-year-old Keishaun R. Thomas arrived at a residence in the 1200 block of West Marietta Street to pick up the child he shared with a woman living there. Smith and another man were also at the home. According to police statements, a "mutual physical altercation" broke out between Thomas and Smith. The second man present attempted to intervene and break up the fight. Thomas later alleged that this second man had battered him during the scuffle.
After breaking free from the fight, Thomas went to his car and retrieved a Glock 19 9mm pistol he had placed on the trunk.
He then shot Smith and also fired in the direction of the other man, who was unarmed and running away. The second man was not injured. When later asked by police why he shot at the man, Thomas reportedly replied, "Because he was with him [Smith]."
Decatur Police officers responded to a call of shots fired at 10:57 a.m. and found Smith on the front porch of the residence, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries. Less than an hour later, Thomas arrived at the Decatur Police Department headquarters accompanied by his father. He confessed to the shooting and surrendered the pistol, which was found in his pants pocket. At the time of the incident, Thomas held a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card and a concealed carry license.
Following his confession, Keishaun Thomas was arrested. He was initially charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm for shooting at the second individual. He was later charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cornelius Smith. A judge denied Thomas pretrial release, and as of January 2026, he remains detained in the Macon County Jail pending trial.
