On January 21, 2023, Robert Lee Delmore Jr., a 26-year-old African American man from Carbondale, Illinois, was tragically shot and killed in his apartment located in the 800 block of East Grand Avenue. Law enforcement officers responded to reports of gunfire around 1:30 a.m. and discovered Robert Lee Delmore Jr. deceased at the scene from gunshot wounds.
Robert Lee Delmore Jr., affectionately known as "Lil Rob," was born on August 6, 1996, in Carbondale, Illinois. He attended Herrin Elementary School, where he was known for playing football, and later graduated from Owensboro High School in Kentucky in 2014. In 2022, he completed the Highway Construction Program at John A. Logan College. Described as full of life and laughter, Robert Lee Delmore Jr. was known for his bright smile and was often referred to as the life of the party. He enjoyed listening to music, spending time with his daughters, and cooking.
Following the incident, 19-year-old Keon L. Foulks, also from Carbondale, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Robert Lee Delmore Jr. Foulks was held in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $2 million. The investigation was conducted by the Carbondale Police Department and the Illinois State Police.
In August 2023, Keon L. Foulks was sentenced to 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for second-degree murder, with an additional two years to be served consecutively for a probation violation.
