On August 8, 2024, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Springfield Police responded to HSHS St. John’s Hospital for a report of a shooting victim who had just arrived. Upon arrival, officers were advised a two-year-old female had been brought to the hospital by her father with a gunshot wound to her leg and a graze wound to her head.
Officers and detectives responded to the 3300 block of E. Enos Avenue to further investigate. Two 9mm firearms and ammunition were located in the bathroom of the residence. A bullet hole was observed in the bathroom wall that led into a bedroom, where blood was found on a bed. It was determined that the child had been lying on the bed when struck by the bullet. The child’s father is believed to have fired the weapon.
Averill F. McDonald, 34, of Springfield, was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, reckless discharge of a firearm, endangering the life or health of a child, and defacing identification marks on a firearm. He was transported to the Sangamon County Jail.
On August 12, 2024, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office petitioned that McDonald remain in custody due to the egregious act, however the petition was denied and McDonald was released from custody.