Details have emerged regarding the shooting death of Jenni M. McGruder, and a related incident involving an unruly crowd that happened Easter morning.
As previously reported on WGIL, Galesburg Police officers responded to the parking lot behind Seminary Street Pub at 105 S. Seminary at around 1:36 a.m., Sunday.
Police reports indicate that officers found a crowd huddled around McGruder, who was lying on the ground.
Reports indicate that she passed a short time after officers came to her side, it was then that officers were able to identify her.
Officers went to work securing the crime scene by moving squad cars in an effort to create a barrier between McGruder’s body and the crowd.
Reports indicate that the crowd continued growing in size and became hostile towards the officers. Officers advised headquarters that they were in need of emergency assistance.
Responding to their call were three Knox County Sheriff Deputies, an Illinois State Police officer, and an Abingdon Police officer.
The crowd was issued commands to settle down and give investigators space, but they continued being unruly.
Pepper spray was deployed on several subjects in the crowd. Reports indicate that several members of the crowd began fighting among themselves and continued making threats towards police officers. Pepper spray was deployed again towards instigators in the crowd.
The barriers were extended again in an effort put more distance between investigators and the crowd. More pepper spray was used to move agitators away from the scene and behind the new barricades.
Police continued dealing with individuals making threatening remarks, trying to sneak past the barricade, and refusing to settle down and step away. Pepper spray was used many times over on the same individuals. At one point, it was noted that an officer had to get a second can because the first ran dry.
Eventually the instigators would leave the scene, and the crowd would settle down completely. It was estimated at one point that the size of the crowd was between 80 and 100 individuals.
While the unruly crowd was being dealt with, Galesburg Fire and GHAS arrived on scene, both declared that no signs of life could be found with McGruder.
It was during the investigation that a Sheriff’s Deputy located spent shell casings.
Several witnesses came forward to talk with officers. Some said that the alleged shooter was known as “John John” or “Jon Jon”. These witnesses were either hesitant or unwilling to make an official statement at that time.
The suspect was later identified as 28-year-old Jonathan I. Kelly.
It was announced Tuesday that GPD had obtained an arrested warrant for Kelly. The warrant is a nationwide warrant with a bond of $1,000,000.
No arrests had been made yet in the case of the individuals who were threatening officers and inciting mob actions during the Sunday morning investigation.
Any person with information into the location of Jonathan Kelly are urged to contact the Galesburg Police Department (309) 343-9151, or Galesburg Crime Stoppers (309) 344-044/1-888-266-0044 or text a “Galesburg” plus your tip to 274637.
