More arrests made in southern Illinois shooting that killed two people

Two more people have been arrested and charged in connection with the late July shooting at a large gathering in Mount Vernon that killed two and injured five others.

Davonta Boyd, 25, of Mount Vernon and Dequan Hopkins, 29, of Wayne City were each charged Wednesday with aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to a news release from the Mount Vernon Police Department. Hopkins also faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat offender.

They were taken into custody after law enforcement conducted search warrants Wednesday morning.

The shooting was reported to police at 12:49 a.m. Sunday, July 27. It happened at a “non-sanctioned event” in the 600 block of South 15th Street, which an estimated 100 to 150 people attended, Mount Vernon Mayor John Lewis said in a statement.

Zomarrius Williams, 20, of Mount Vernon and Demonta Woodward, 26, of Mounds died in the shooting.

Jefferson County Crime Stoppers offered an award up to $2,500 for information that led to an arrest.

Jamaro J. Kemmerling, 26, of Mount Vernon was charged last week with aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender.

A woman from Mount Vernon was charged in the case but a judge granted the state’s attorney’s motion to dismiss the case “without prejudice,” according to court records. This means a case could be brought forward at a later date.