On July 12, 2023, 37-year-old Dana Andrew Morgan Jr. of Carlinville, Illinois, was found with gunshot wounds in the 1000 block of Johnson Street around 7:20 p.m. First responders provided emergency treatment before transporting him to Carlinville Area Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities identified 36-year-old Shawn M. Evans as the suspect in the shooting. Evans was charged with first-degree murder, and a $2 million warrant was issued for his arrest. Following a 20-hour search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Evans was apprehended on July 13. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
Dana Morgan Jr. was born on August 26, 1985, to Dana Morgan Sr. and Karen Eller in Carlinville. He graduated from Palmyra High School and was self-employed, engaging in various construction projects and auto repairs. Known for his gregarious and fun-loving nature, Dana enjoyed welding, four-wheeling, and working on his truck. He was a devoted uncle to his niece, Addison, and nephew, Dylan, with whom he lived.
He is survived by his fiancée, Victoria Rose Brennan; his parents; siblings Megan, Jason, and Nathan Morgan; daughters Haley Whitworth and Maleaha Morgan; and several extended family members. He was preceded in death by his former fiancée, Elizabeth Greenberg, and other relatives.
In the wake of his passing, a GoFundMe campaign was established to assist his mother with funeral expenses, highlighting Dana's roles as a loving son, grandson, father, and brother. The community's support underscores the impact he had on those around him.
