Man shot and killed on Collinsville porch identified by Madison County investigators

Investigators have released the identity of the man who was shot and killed on the front porch of a Collinsville home Tuesday night.

Jonathan J. Gagen, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 500 block of St. Louis Road shortly after he was shot by the homeowner, according to a release from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Gagen did not know the homeowner, the release said, and had been warned to leave or he would be shot.

“The resident told the subject to leave, but he continued to refuse. As the subject became angry, the resident feared for his own safety and the safety of his family,” it said. “The resident retreated into his home and retrieved his firearm while making numerous requests for the subject to leave. “

Gagen allegedly opened the storm door in an attempt to enter the house, at which point the homeowner told Gagen that if he continued, he’d be shot.

“In an attempt to protect his family, the resident fired one shot, which struck the subject in the chest,” the release stated.

Collinsville Police Department said Tuesday that officers responded to the reported shooting at 6:03 p.m. They found Gagen with a gunshot wound on the front porch of a residence and attempted first aid until fire and EMS workers could arrive.

Gagen was pronounced dead at the scene. The owner of the residence is not being identified and has been “fully cooperative” with the investigation, police said.

Since the homeowner is related to a part-time employee of the Collinsville Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department has taken over the investigation.

A man with the same name, date of birth and hometown as Gagen’s had been reported missing in a March 16 Facebook post by the Belleville Police Department. The department asked for the public’s help in locating the man, described as “diagnosed with autism and mental health issues.” He was found Monday, March 18 in Wentzville, MO and “was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation,” according to a later post.

The BND is attempting to determine whether the man reported missing is the same person who was shot Tuesday night in Collinsville.

This story was originally published March 27, 2024 at 11:25 AM.