UPDATE
The suspect in the triple - homicide has been identified as Ronald Cobren, 62 of Ashland. He was located after the incident in Jacksonville, deceased from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn identified the deceased victims as 19-year-old Autumn Bell, 53-year-old Christina Bell, and 16-year-old Alaria Bell. Autopsies for the victims and suspect are scheduled for Monday.Â
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On Thursday, a violent crime spree unfolded in Ashland, resulting in four deaths, including a suspect, and one person injured.
Law enforcement responded to the 300 Block of Philadelphia Road after reports of a male shot. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ashland Police found a wounded male and a deceased female at the scene.
Deputies provided medical aid until EMS arrived. Following information from the male victim, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Police, and Beardstown Police went to another Ashland residence, discovering two additional deceased female victims.
A preliminary investigation identified a suspect and vehicle. Jacksonville Police later located the suspect vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and found the suspect inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was pronounced dead on-scene by the Morgan County Coroner’s Office.
The surviving male victim was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Illinois State Police Zone 4 Investigations, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Division, Illinois State Police Patrol, Ashland Police Department, Beardstown Police Department, Pleasant Plains Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Menard County Sheriff’s Office, were involved.