3 dead in Montgomery Co. shootings
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(MONTGOMERY COUNTY) — Several local and state law enforcement agencies are involved in an investigation as to the cause of three shooting deaths – two in Witt and one in Nokomis – which occurred on Wednesday, June 1.
According to information released by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, early Wednesday, at approximately 3:14 a.m, deputies responded to the report of shots fired at 20293 Pine Trail in Witt Township. Trista D. Casey, 38, of Witt and Michael S. Cunningham, 40, of Litchfield were both located inside the residence.
Evidence at the scene indicated that both individuals had been shot multiple times. Trista Casey and Michael Cunningham were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, deputies identified Trista Casey’s ex-husband, Matthew A. Casey, 40, of Nokomis, as a person of interest. Further investigation led deputies to believe Casey had returned to his residence in Nokomis.
With the assistance of Montgomery County State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti, a search warrant was obtained for Casey’s residence in Nokomis. During the morning hours of Wednesday, with the assistance of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm Systems (ILEAS) Response Team, deputies executed the search warrant at the residence.
Casey was located inside the garage at the residence with a single gunshot wound. Casey was pronounced dead at the scene by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. A preliminary investigation of the scene indicated Casey’s death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Hillsboro Police Department, Nokomis Police Department, the ILEAS Response Team, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office assisted with the investigation. The Nokomis/Witt Area Ambulance also responded to and assisted at the scene.
