On June 2, 2022, Austin Evans-Blakely, a 25-year-old male from Lenzburg, Illinois, was tragically killed during a burglary in New Athens, Illinois. Employed as a handyman, Austin Evans-Blakely was at a home on Golden Rule Mine Road when he and two others interrupted a burglary in progress. The confrontation resulted in Evans-Blakely being fatally shot, while the other two men, aged 50 and 47, sustained injuries. One of the injured men was airlifted to a hospital in St.
Louis with critical injuries, while the other was transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the incident was led by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. The authorities identified two suspects in connection with the burglary and shooting. Michael W. Johnson, a 43-year-old male from East Carondelet, Illinois, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. He was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Sunset Hills, Missouri, and his bond was set at $2 million. The second suspect, Martin J. Morrison, a 43-year-old male from Cahokia Heights, Illinois, was charged with first-degree murder, residential burglary, and possession of methamphetamine. Morrison was taken into custody and held at the St. Clair County Jail with a bond set at $1 million for the burglary-related charges and $50,000 for the methamphetamine charge.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department released information about a vehicle of interest connected to the homicide, a Chevy Equinox believed to be a model from 2014-2016, with a possible "silver topaz metallic" color. The public was asked to assist in locating the vehicle. Captain Bruce Fleshren of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department noted the unusual nature of the burglary, as it occurred during the daytime in a remote area, leading to a direct confrontation between the burglars and the victims.
The investigation into the case was extensive, involving 18 investigators from various departments across the Metro East area. St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Major Case Squad and the Assistant State’s Attorney, highlighting the complexity and intensity of the investigation. The case remains open, with lab analysis pending on several items, and additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.
