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.
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.