COLLINSVILLE, Ill — Less than an hour into 2023, two men in their twenties were fatally shot after a bar fight in downtown Collinsville.
On Wednesday, the Collinsville Police Department announced charges in the killings.
Edgar O. Torres-Granado, 22, of Granite City has been charged with mob action, a class 4 felony, in the incident.
Torres Granado's bail was set at $50,000. He posted bond on Jan. 3 and was released from custody.
Police originally detained two people in the incident, though no further charges have been announced. Police said the Madison County State's Attorney's Office has taken the remainder of the investigation "under advisement" and will render a decision regarding potential charges to any additional defendants at a later time.
The victims were 20-year-old Ricardo Correa from Collinsville and 24-year-old Rodolfo Torres-Granado from Granite City.
The shooting that killed the two men happened less than a block away from Sloan's Pub House, where witnesses told police the confrontation began.
The Collinsville Police Department received a 911 call around 1 a.m. Sunday, reporting gunshots fired in a parking lot at the rear of 103 W. Main St.
Officers responding to the scene immediately detained two men and began administering CPR on the two victims who were struck by gunfire and unresponsive.
Police said the shooting victims were later pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison County Coroner’s Office.
Witnesses told investigators the confrontation in Sloan's Pub house got physical between a group of men and another man.
The two parties were eventually separated, but the dispute reignited in the parking lot north of the pub, witnesses told investigators.
The disputing party that included the victims left their cars armed with guns and approached a Dodge Charger where the man and a woman were parked, according to police.
The man of the Dodge Charger then shot multiple rounds from his own gun, striking the victims Correa and Rodolfo Torres-Granado.
Anyone that witnessed this incident that was not contacted or interviewed by the Collinsville Police Department early Sunday morning is encouraged to contact the department Investigations Commander, Lt. Eric Owen, at 618-344-2131.
This breaking news story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.