Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 has announced charges will be filed Wednesday against a 17-year-old male from St. Peter in connection with the Saturday night shooting death of a 14-year-old Salem juvenile.
The 17-year-old juvenile will face charges of first-degree murder (Class M Murder) and aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class One Felony). Because of the boy’s age, his name is not being released.
The victim of the shooting has been identified as Dakota Caige Branch, an 8th grader at Franklin Park Middle School in Salem. State police say the 14-year-old was shot and killed inside a residence in the 700 block of North 2200 Street. Branch was pronounced dead on the scene by the Fayette County Coroner.
The 17-year-old is being held in the Fayette County Jail at Vandalia.
DCI Zone 8 took over the investigation Saturday night at the request of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. They were assisted by sheriff’s deputies, the Fayette County Coroner, ISP Troop 9 Patrol, and ISP Crime Scene Services.
State Police are releasing no further information, including any possible motive for the shooting death.
You may find obituary information for Dakota Caige Branch on the obituary page of SouthernIllinoisNow.com.
