A McLeansboro man is facing murder charges after a shooting in McLeansboro early Friday morning took the life of a Salem man.
22 year old Zachery J Shock has been charged with one count of aggravated battery with a firearm and two counts of first degree murder in the death of 45 year old James L Berkel according to Hamilton County States Attorney Justin Hood.
Shock was taken into custody early Friday in Fairfield by a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy, and was lodged in the Wayne County Jail, though according to Hood, Shock will be transferred to the White County Jail. He is being held on a $2.5 million bond. Shock will make his first appearance in Hamilton County Court on Monday, October 3rd.
According to Hamilton County Coroner Steve Bowling, the shooting took place just after 12 am in the 400 block of East Broadway. Berkel was pronounced deceased at 1:40 am.
The investigation was handled by the Illinois State Police with assistance from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, McLeansboro Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
