On February 25, 2023, at approximately 1:28 p.m., Macoupin County Dispatch received a call reporting a male who had been shot and a possible female fatality at a residence in the 500 block of Young Lane in Shipman, Illinois. Deputies responding to the scene found 31-year-old Theresa Kimbro deceased from gunshot wounds, as well as a dog that had also been shot and killed. Additionally, Theresa's father, John D. Sullivan, was severely injured with gunshot wounds and was later transported to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment.
Reports indicated that a white truck had allegedly fled the scene, which was quickly tracked down in Madison County. Jacob T. Kimbro Sr., a 37-year-old former resident of Bethalto, was detained in connection with the incident after reports of a "suicidal man with a handgun" in Cottage Hills led to an intense standoff. Kimbro was taken into custody and booked into the Macoupin County Jail, where he has remained since.
Jacob T. Kimbro Sr. was charged with multiple counts, including three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. However, as part of a plea agreement, Kimbro pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder on September 29, 2024, with the other charges being dropped.
During the sentencing hearing on October 23, 2024, Macoupin County State's Attorney Jordan Garrison requested a sentence in the range of 45-50 years to be served in its entirety. Judge Joshua A. Meyer handed down a sentence of 46 years, emphasizing that a sentence near the lower end would not be just and that others must be deterred from committing similar crimes. As a result, Jacob Kimbro must serve the entire 46 years and will not be eligible for parole until after his 81st birthday.
The investigation and apprehension of Jacob Kimbro were praised by State's Attorney Jordan Garrison, who thanked the members of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in bringing Kimbro to justice. Garrison expressed that Kimbro's admission to the crime was a significant step towards justice for Theresa Kimbro and her family.
