Kewanee Police and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Deputies quickly apprehend the male subjects that brandished a gun at cars near Wethersfield School on Friday, January 13, 2023. Around 12:30 PM, the Kewanee Police Department received a call regarding two subjects walking in the roadway in the 200 block of Willard that displayed a gun as he was driving by them. The caller was able to provide dispatch with a detailed description of both male subjects. A Kewanee Police Officer and HCSO Deputy were in the area at the time and were able to quickly locate the suspects and foot pursuits ensued. The Kewanee Police Officer pursued the suspect believed to be in possession of the firearm and the Deputy pursued the second suspect. During the foot pursuit, the suspect threw the loaded firearm on the roof of a business, which officers later located. The officer apprehended the suspect, identified as Jeffery Hollingsworth, 21, of Peoria. Additional Officers and an off-duty Kewanee Police Officer arrived in the area to set up a perimeter and assist the HCSO Deputy capture the second suspect, identified as Marcus Smith, 20, of Galesburg. Officers recovered cannabis and a loaded pistol magazine in a book bag along the foot pursuit path for Marcus Smith. Hollingsworth and Smith are on Mandatory Supervised Release (MSR) Custody from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Wethersfield School was placed on lockdown because the incident was close to the school.
Jeffery Hollingsworth and Marcus Smith were transported to the Kewanee Police Department where they were processed and transported to the Henry County Jail. Hollingsworth was sent to the Henry County Jail on preliminary charges of Unlawful Use or Possession of Weapons by a Felon x 2 (Class 2 Felony), Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), Aggravated Assault with a Firearm x 2 (Class 4 Felony) and Obstructing a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor). Smith was sent to the Henry County Jail on preliminary charges of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), Possession of 30-100 grams of Cannabis (Class A Misdemeanor), Obstructing a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor) and Resisting a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor). All charges from this incident will be reviewed by the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office for formal charges.
A Class 2 Felony carries a potential sentence of 3-14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Hollingsworth
Smith
