The fatal shooting of a 24-year-old Festus man early Saturday (June 6) in Caseyville, Ill., appears to have been an act of self-defense, authorities say.
Christopher Crim was shot at about 2 a.m. outside a trailer in the 100 block of Cankelly Lane, Lt. Dave Bivens of the Illinois State Police said Monday (June 8).
Crim was transported to a St. Clair County (Ill.) regional hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Bivens said.
The shooter is a 25-year-old man who lives in the trailer, Bivens reported.
He said the St. Clair (Ill.) State’s Attorney office will decide if charges will be sought against the shooter.
“Barring additional information, it doesn’t appear the suspect will be charged,” Bivens said.
Two men who were with the shooting victim have been charged for their alleged roles in an altercation that happened prior to the shooting.
Bivens reported that Crim and two men went to the trailer to see a woman Crim “had a previous relationship with.”
One of the men accompanying Crim allegedly assaulted the woman, followed by all three of the men allegedly forcing their way into the trailer and attacking a 23-year-old man inside, Bivens said.
When the 25-year-old resident heard the altercation and came out of a bedroom, the men left, but Crim returned a short time later with a blunt instrument and confronted the 25-year-old outside the trailer, Bivens said.
He said the 25-year-old then shot Crim.
Bivens said the woman, 22, was visiting the trailer and he did not have information about where she lives.
According to the St. Clair Circuit Clerk’s Office, charges have been filed against Crim’s partners.
Anthony Pentecost, 22, Festus, has been charged with felony home invasion, felony mob action and misdemeanor battery assault.
John Fox, 25, of Collinsville, Ill., has been charged with felony home invasion and felony mob action.
Both were in St. Clair County Jail on Monday, each one on a $60,000 bond, authorities said.