On June 2, 2022, 25-year-old Austin Evans-Blakely of Lenzburg, Illinois, was fatally shot during a daytime burglary at a home on Golden Rule Mine Road in New Athens. Evans-Blakely, a handyman, and two other men interrupted the burglary; the two others, ages 50 and 47, were also wounded—one critically and airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, the other treated by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities identified two suspects in the incident. Michael W. Johnson, 43, of East Carondelet was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and was arrested in Sunset Hills, Missouri. Martin J. Morrison, 43, of Cahokia Heights was charged with first-degree murder, residential burglary, and possession of methamphetamine and was held at the St. Clair County Jail. Investigators asked the public for help locating a Chevy Equinox, believed to be a 2014–2016 model in a possible silver topaz metallic color, connected to the case.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department led the probe with assistance from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; 18 investigators worked the matter and lab analysis on several items remained pending. Does anyone have information about the vehicle or movements in the Golden Rule Mine Road area that day?