On March 12, 2023, at 1:21 a.m., the Belleville Police Department responded to a 911 call at a residence in the 400 block of South 29th Street in Belleville, Illinois. Upon arrival, officers found a 38-year-old male victim, identified as Paul Kirby, inside the residence with a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of initial responding officers and EMS personnel, Kirby showed no signs of life and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office.
The Belleville Police Department activated the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis to assist in the investigation of Kirby's death. MSgt. Shane Brown of the Belleville Police Department was designated as the Deputy Commander for the Major Case Squad, with Sgt. Danny Allison of the Caseyville PD and MSgt. Dan Collins of the Belleville PD serving as Deputy Report Officers. The investigation involved a team of twenty-five investigators.
As a result of the investigation, a suspect was identified and charged. Vincent L. Allen, also 38 years old, was charged with First Degree Murder in connection with Paul Kirby's death.
During the investigation, police also sought information about a vehicle of interest, a silver 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokee, which was believed to be related to the shooting. The public was encouraged to contact the Major Case Squad or CrimeStoppers with any information regarding the incident.
The case highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in the region to investigate and solve serious crimes, and it underscores the importance of public cooperation in providing crucial information to aid in such investigations.
