MATTOON – Mattoon Police responded to a report of an exchange of gunshots between two groups of people early Saturday morning.
Officers arrived in the 300 block of South 21st Street at 12:25 AM on Saturday, June 18, to find a person who had been shot. That individual was transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, where they later succumbed to their wounds and died. The Coles County Coroner is withholding that person’s identity until all relatives have been notified.
Three suspects have been arrested in relation to this homicide.
24-year-old James Shafer, of Mattoon, was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Murder, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. Those charges allege that Shafer is a convicted felon who possessed a firearm, fired said weapon in a reckless manner and killed an individual without lawful justification.
Two other men were charged with Intimidation. 36-year-old Kevin Johnson and 31-year-old Matthew Cook, both of Mattoon, both are accused of threatening harm to another person.
Mattoon Police are also seeking another individual for questioning in this incident.
33-year-old Shawn Adamson, of Mattoon, is being sought by Mattoon Police. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Mattoon Police at 217-235-5451.
