Crime
16-Year-Old Davenport West High School Student Fatally Shot in Rock Island
School officials have confirmed that 16-year-old Jentrell Lee, who tragically lost his life in a shooting Sunday evening, was a student at Davenport West High School.
In the wake of Jentrell’s passing, the Davenport School District has arranged for counselors to be available for students and staff throughout the week.
The district is working to provide emotional support to those affected by this devastating news.
The Rock Island County Coroner, Brian Gustafson, identified Jentrell as the victim. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the exact cause of death.
The Rock Island Police Department is leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
According to a media release, officers were alerted at approximately 8:21 p.m. Sunday when an unidentified individual dropped Jentrell off at UnityPoint-Trinity hospital.
Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.
Authorities confirmed no additional injuries were reported. However, no arrests have been made, and details surrounding the shooting remain limited.
On Sunday evening, a significant police presence was observed near 17th Street and 20th Avenue in Rock Island, where authorities confirmed an active shooting investigation was underway.
The Rock Island Police Department is urging anyone with information about this case to come forward. Individuals can contact the Rock Island Police Department directly at 309-732-2677 or reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500 or through the P3 Tips app.
The community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes for justice as investigators work to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
MOBILE, AL – A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an Alabama bar is claiming self-defense, as new details emerged during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
On February 1, officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Alabama Bar & Lounge.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Hunter Lins and another man had been shot following an altercation outside the establishment.
Lins was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, survived.
Matthew Sanders was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the incident.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, Sanders’ attorney, Jeff Deen, argued that his client acted in self-defense after being attacked. Deen claimed that surveillance footage supports this assertion, showing Sanders being “jumped on” before the shooting.
However, Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, refuted that claim, asserting that the shooting was not an act of self-defense and could have been entirely avoided.
A homicide detective testified that multiple witnesses reported an argument between Sanders and Lins inside the bar near the pool table.
- A bartender allegedly instructed only Sanders to leave the bar.
- Lins followed him outside, reportedly to apologize.
- Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between Sanders and Lins, with Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also getting involved.
- According to Rusty, he attempted to break up the fight, but Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire.
Deen countered this narrative, claiming that Sanders was attacked by the two brothers and was defending himself.
“He got jumped on at a bar. He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight,” Deen said. “I’m sorry someone got shot, but he brought it on himself.”
During testimony, the detective noted that Lins had a beer bottle during the altercation but discarded it before being shot, leaving him unarmed and defenseless.
Harvell questioned Sanders’ justification for self-defense, stating, “If he was able to open his car door to grab a gun and shoot two people, why wasn’t he able to get in the car and leave?”
Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office revealed that after the shooting, Sanders allegedly posted a video on Snapchat waving a gun and saying, “I told y’all to leave me alone… and to quit playing with me.”
Investigators later confirmed that the firearm seen in the video was the same weapon recovered at the crime scene.
During the hearing, Sanders’ defense requested a bond reduction, which was denied by the judge. He remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a $250,000 bond.
The case is now moving to a grand jury for further review.