On July 12, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired at the intersection of North Wesley Street and Enos Avenue. An 18 year old female reported she suffered a gunshot wound to her back while sitting in a car at the intersection. The victim, who was not on scene when Deputies arrived, had been driven to St. John’s Hospital for treatment of a minor wound, and was later released. No other victims were located.
Deputies located the scene and found five 9mm shell casings in the intersection. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect. They told Deputies, the suspect was walking in the area and became involved in a verbal altercation with subjects riding in the victim’s vehicle. The suspect then produced a handgun and fired an unknown amount of rounds at the vehicle before the vehicle fled the area. The suspect was last seen running from the area.
Detectives were assigned to the case and developed a suspect. As a result of their investigation, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, 19 year old Malachi J. Collier of the 500 block of North Stephens, Springfield. Collier has been charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Two counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Battery, Reckless Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Firearm w/ No Foid, and Criminal Damage to Property.
On July 19, Collier was taken into custody by members of the United States Marshal Service Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force. Collier was in possession of a stolen handgun and may face additional charges related to the stolen firearm. His bond was set at $300,000.