Crime
Megan Valentine arrested and charged for the murder of Edward County Judge Michael Valentine
His wife, 44-year-old Megan S. Valentine, was present at the scene and was immediately taken into custody.
On Election Day, a tragic incident unfolded in southern Illinois as a judge was discovered fatally shot outside his home, leading to the arrest and subsequent charging of his wife.
Illinois State Police reported that deputies from the Edwards County Sheriffโs Office responded to a call at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
The call directed them to a residence on the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion.
Upon arrival, officers found Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine lying deceased outside his home, the victim of a gunshot wound.
His wife, 44-year-old Megan S. Valentine, was present at the scene and was immediately taken into custody.
Given the nature of the case, the Edwards County Sheriffโs Office requested that the Illinois State Police lead the investigation.
By Thursday, the Illinois Stateโs Attorney Appellate Prosecutorโs Office had filed several charges against Megan Valentine, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery.
Megan Valentine is currently being held in the White County Jail, with her first court appearance scheduled for Friday morning.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.