Crime
21-Year-Old man killed in officer-involved shooting in Rock Island
The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson has confirmed the death of a 21-year-old man following an officer-involved shooting on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Rock Island County Coroner identified the victim as 21-year-old Jakarta Jackson. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Jackson died from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the Rock Island Police Department, the incident unfolded at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the area of 12th Street and 24th Avenue:
- An officer attempted to detain a “suspicious individual.”
- The man reportedly fled on foot when approached.
- Police say the man then entered the driver’s seat of a running car in an attempt to escape.
- As the officer tried to remove him from the vehicle, the man allegedly drove the car forward, which police claim dragged the officer.
- The officer fired at the man, striking him multiple times.
Both the man and the officer were transported to a local hospital:
- The man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
- The officer was treated for injuries and later released.
Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud immediately requested the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force to investigate the use of deadly force. This task force comprises local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure impartial investigations of officer-involved incidents.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to Coroner Gustafson.
Several witnesses at the scene have expressed skepticism about the police account of the events.
Unverified claims allege:
- The officer was not visibly injured or dragged.
- The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
- Children, reportedly the man’s son and nephew, were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses also dispute the timeline provided by authorities, asserting that the man died at the scene and was not transported to the hospital alive.
The incident has sparked significant outrage within the community, with calls for transparency and accountability. Witnesses and community members have accused law enforcement of attempting to cover up the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force has taken over the investigation. They are expected to examine all evidence, including body camera footage and witness statements, to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information or video footage is urged to contact the task force directly. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.