CLINTON COUNTY, Illinois — A 52-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of man that happened early Wednesday morning in rural Clinton County.
Benjamin Bush, 52, of Jamestown, Illinois, was charged Thursday with four counts of first-degree murder after being taken into custody at the scene of the shooting.
According to a press release from Sheriff Dan Travous with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, the office received multiple 911 calls about a shooting at about 1 a.m. Wednesday at 610 Main Street in Jamestown. Deputies and emergency personnel responded and found a man dead at the scene.
On Thursday, the sheriff's office identified the victim as Gordon McClellan, 54.
This was not a random attack, according to the sheriff's office. It is believed Bush and McClellan were acquaintances of some kind.
The sheriff's office is still actively investigating this case.
In all, Bush was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the case. The duplicate charges are what are called alternative counts in Illinois. They will be combined into a single charge as the investigation continues.
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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.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
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 the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
