Maurice Cunningham, a 19-year-old African American male from Streator, Illinois, was a sophomore at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, studying Business Management and playing for the college football team. On the night of November 19, 2019, at approximately 11:37 p.m., his roommate discovered him unresponsive on the floor of their residence in the 600 block of Jordan Street. Maurice had sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and head, and the house appeared to have been ransacked. He was immediately transported to Passavant Area Hospital and subsequently transferred to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Despite medical efforts, Maurice succumbed to his injuries on November 22, 2019.
In the aftermath of his death, Maurice's family and the Jacksonville community were left in shock and mourning. His mother, Nicole Washington, expressed deep frustration with the pace of the investigation, emphasizing her desire for justice and for her son's case not to be forgotten. She highlighted the emotional toll of the loss, noting that Maurice had been looking forward to becoming a father; his son was born on March 26, 2020, several months after his passing.
As of the latest available information, the Jacksonville Police Department continues to investigate Maurice Cunningham's death as a homicide. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Authorities have reached out to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4636.
In an effort to encourage individuals to come forward, Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties has offered the maximum reward allowed by IRS regulations for tips leading to the arrest of those responsible for Maurice's death. Despite these efforts, the case remains unsolved, leaving Maurice's family and the community seeking closure and justice for the young African American man's untimely death.
