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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.