A celebration of Valentine’s Day turned into a tragedy in Jacksonville on Saturday evening.
Jacksonville police officers responded to the 800 block of West Chambers at approximately 5:45 p.m.
The initial call reported several gunshots fired in the residential neighborhood.
When officers arrived, they discovered 31-year-old Marcquila Harris suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency responders rushed Harris to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for life-threatening injuries.
Medical staff later pronounced Harris dead despite efforts to save the victim’s life.
The Morgan County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Monday to determine the official cause of death.
Investigators worked through the night to identify a person of interest in the case.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, police announced the arrest of 23-year-old Marissa Teubner.
Teubner faces charges of first-degree homicide and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Authorities transported the suspect to the Morgan County Jail where the defendant remains in custody.
The Jacksonville Police Department confirmed they believe this was an isolated incident.
They do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the general public at this time.
Several agencies assisted in the fast-moving investigation.
The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office provided critical support.
The Morgan County State’s Attorney’s Office is also working closely with local detectives.
Recent History
This fatal shooting marks a disturbing moment of violence for the Jacksonville community.
The 800 block of West Chambers is typically a quiet area of the city.
However, Morgan County has seen a slight uptick in isolated incidents over the last year.
Local law enforcement has increased patrols in urban neighborhoods to address rising concerns about firearm safety.
In previous months, community leaders have held forums to discuss ways to reduce street violence in the region.
The quick arrest of a suspect in this case highlights the coordination between Jacksonville police and state investigators.
Police are still asking anyone with information to come forward.
