Major Case Squad arrests three suspects in murder of Collinsville woman outside home
Investigators with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a 32-year-old woman outside her Collinsville home.
The suspects were taken into custody in three different locations, according to Collinsville police Lt. Eric Owen, who is serving as deputy commander for the investigation.
“I can’t really speak much on the suspects at this time, other than to say that we will be seeking felony charges with the Madison County state’s attorney early Monday,” Owen said. “We still have a lot of leads to follow up on and a lot of work that we’re still doing.”
Portia Rowland was shot and killed early Tuesday morning outside her home at 1301 Olive St., near Woodland Park in Collinsville. The Major Case Squad later released a photo from a security camera of a suspect wearing a black hoodie and holding a handgun.
On Saturday, Owen declined to comment on whether that suspect was among the three arrested. He indicated that investigators could hold a news conference on the case as early as Monday.
“(The suspects) haven’t been formally charged, but obviously if we’ve arrested them, we had probable cause to do so,” Owen said.
Owen confirmed that investigators believe Rowland was targeted instead of victimized by a random crime. Her car was running, so she may have been warming it up before work.
Collinsville police responded shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday to a report of gunshots heard in the vicinity of Olive Street and Indiana Avenue, according to a news release from the Major Case Squad that afternoon.
Police found Rowland, who had been shot, lying near the garage of her home. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a representative of the Madison County coroner’s office.
Collinsville police requested assistance from the Major Case Squad, which deployed about 30 investigators.
Rowland was a 2010 graduate of Collinsville High School, according to an obituary posted by Irwin’s Chapel. She worked as a mechanic for Metropolitan Sewer District in St. Louis.
“Portia was a talented athlete, and she excelled in playing flag football, volleyball and billiards,” the obituary states. “Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and hanging out with her friends. Portia will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.”
A visitation for Rowland will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Irwin Chapel in Glen Carbon, followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m.
Anyone with information on the shooting is being asked to contact the Major Case Squad through Collinsville police at 618-344-2131, ext. 5924, or Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
This story was originally published January 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM.
