Joshua K. Smith, a resident of Ramsey, Illinois, tragically lost his life on August 11, 2017. Smith, a young man, was shot in the head with a .38 revolver handgun. He was initially taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia but was later transferred to a hospital in St. Louis, where he succumbed to his injuries later that day. The incident occurred early in the morning, and Smith's death was a result of a violent altercation.
The primary suspect in this case was Alexander Beccue, a
24-year-old man from St. Elmo. Beccue was arrested a few hours after the shooting following a brief manhunt. He was taken into custody without incident on charges of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and possession of a weapon by a felon. The charges were later elevated to first-degree murder after Smith's death. Beccue appeared in Fayette County Court on August 14, 2017, where he was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder. During his arraignment, Beccue appeared to faint, causing a temporary delay in the court proceedings.
The investigation into Smith's death involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Ramsey police, Secretary of State Police, and Illinois State Police, who assisted the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. Witnesses to the shooting provided crucial information that helped in the arrest and subsequent charges against Beccue.
In 2019, Beccue was found guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He was initially sentenced to 30 years in prison. However, the case was called for resentencing after a decision by the Fifth District Appellate Court vacated the second-degree murder conviction. During the resentencing hearing in 2023, Beccue was again sentenced to the maximum 30 years for second-degree murder. The court proceedings revealed the emotional toll Smith's death had on his family and friends, with several loved ones testifying about the impact of the tragedy on their lives.
