Mt. Vernon resident calls for change after deadly shooting
MT. VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) — A Mt. Vernon resident is calling for stronger safety measures following a weekend shooting that left two people dead and five others injured.
Police responded to gunfire around 12:49 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of South 15th Street. Two men, Zomarrius Williams, 20, of Mt. Vernon, and Demonta Woodward, 26, of Mounds IL, are deceased. Five others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Jerria J. Smith, 22, of Mt. Vernon, was arrested and charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. Police say more arrests may follow.
Tori McGrath, a lifelong Mt. Vernon resident, said violence in the city has gotten worse over time.
“Every year I feel like it gets a little bit more unsafe,” McGrath says. “As the gun laws become more lenient, people become more careless.”
She said she’s heard gunfire in her neighborhood for years and wants to see things change in the future.
“Honestly, it’s always going to be home,” McGrath says. “I feel like we could definitely up either the cops around town or anything else that we have to do.”
The investigation continues to be ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information or video of the shooting to contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
