A 21-year-old Centralia man was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder and 6 other charges in Marion County Court in connection with the shooting of three people Sunday afternoon in the 900 block of East Kell in Centralia.
Shavonte Samuels is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Steven McCary. Because a firearm is involved, Samuels could face up to natural life in prison if convicted of the charge. McCary was immediately taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, where he was later pronounced dead.
Samuels is charged with two Class X charges of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of two other persons. They are Lorenzo Williams, who was shot in the abdomen, and Aaryanna Jackson, who was shot in the hair. Both were treated and released at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm were filed, one for each of the three victims, and the fourth for shooting into a building in the 900 block of East Kell Samuels, which should have been known to be occupied. A single count of aggravated battery was filed in connection with the shooting of Williams. Samuels was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon for having a handgun in his possession.
Samuels will be held at the Marion County Jail without bond pending a hearing on April 29th to determine if the no-bond condition should remain. Samuels’ attorney, Dennis Hatch, asked for a delay to allow him to learn more about the evidence in the case.
Samuels told Judge Ericka Sanders that he understood each of the charges and their potential penalties as he sat quietly at the defense table.
