Terence L. Hicks, a 34-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed in Alton, Illinois, on October 11, 2020. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. when several Alton police officers patrolling the downtown area heard gunshots near W. Fourth Street and State Street. Upon arrival, they found Hicks with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Alton Police Department, conducted a thorough investigation into the events leading up to and including the shooting.
Three individuals were charged in connection with Hicks' death. Charlton K. Merchant, a 30-year-old male from Alton, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, mob action, aggravated battery, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Merchant was held without bond. Aareon Vaughn, a 27-year-old male from Alton, faced two counts of first-degree murder, mob action, and aggravated battery, and was also held without bond. Terrea D. Gates, a 30-year-old female from Alton, was charged with obstructing justice and her bond was set at $20,000. The authorities emphasized that this was not a random act of violence, and the individuals involved were familiar with each other.
During the trial, Merchant claimed that he fired at Hicks in self-defense. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Merchant had been bragging on social media about possessing a gun and had posted photographs of the weapon. The court found Merchant guilty of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He was sentenced to 58 years in prison, with a 55-year sentence for first-degree murder and an additional three-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a weapon. The sentences were to be served consecutively. The Madison County State’s Attorney, Tom Haine, expressed hope that the conviction would bring some closure to Hicks' family and restore a sense of safety to the community.
