CARBONDALE – A Marion man has been charged for multiple shootings that happened in December of last year in Carbondale.
According to Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph A. Cervantez Tuesday, 17-year-old Brennan Gibbs has been charged as an adult with multiple counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
On December 19, 2022, Carbondale Police responded to the 500 block of South Forest Street in Carbondale around 11:05 p.m. They said the suspect left the area before they arrived. There were no injuries as a result of the shooting incident. A resident reported damage to a home.
On December 24, 2022, Carbondale Police responded to the 400 Block of West Pecan in regard to a shots fired call. Similar shootings were reported in Marion and Herrin just earlier that night. It was suspected that the shootings were related, and so multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation including the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Carbondale, Marion, and Herrin police departments, and both the Jackson County and Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Offices.
On January 8, 2023, Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies located a vehicle of interest. Suspects attempted to flee and were eventually arrested by Williamson County authorities.
Cervantez charged Gibbs with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm for the offenses in Carbondale. Subsequently, Cervantez petitioned the Court to transfer Gibbs’ charges to adult court. The judiciary granted the request.
“The Carbondale Police Department is thankful to State’s Attorney Cervantez, and the judiciary for holding this violent offender accountable for his actions,” said Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno. “I want all violent offenders to know that if they commit violent crimes in Carbondale, they will be held accountable regardless of their age status. I appreciate the assiduous decision making by the State’s Attorney to use statutory tools in order to send the message that violent offenders will be prosecuted.”
State’s Attorney Cervantez thanked Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their response and resolve in this situation.
“The cooperation among law enforcement professionals from Jackson County and Williamson County is key to keeping violent offenders off of the street. We’ll continue working together to keep Southern Illinois a safe community,” Cervantez said.
Cervantez emphasized that “the charges filed are not evidence of guilt—a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which this office has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”