Arrest made in connection with Springfield homicide

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A man has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with a Springfield homicide.

An arrest warrant was issued for Brandon L. Berner, 23, of Springfield for three counts of first-degree murder in the death of Michael Newton.

Berner turned himself into the Springfield Police Department Monday at 10:12 p.m. Deputies transported Berner to the Sangamon County Jail, where he awaits a pre-trial detention hearing and arraignment scheduled for May 8, at 2:00 p.m.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said deputies were called out for a shooting at mobile home park in the 1000 block of North Edmond in Springfield around 2:50 p.m. Saturday.

When deputies arrived, they found a 33-year-old man with a gunshot wound. He was taken to St. John's Hospital and died shortly after arriving.

Detectives believe the shooting could be related to an earlier disturbance in the 600 block of North Wesley.

The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, identified the victim as Michael Newton, of Springfield. He was pronounced deceased at 3:20 p.m. by hospital staff.

An autopsy done Monday showed Newton died from a gunshot wound to the neck. The death remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.