Corey Ayers, 48, was shot and killed on May 21, 2022, in the 2300 block of Edwards Street in Granite City, Illinois. Officers found Ayers with a gunshot wound about 8:30 p.m.; he was taken to a hospital and died shortly thereafter.

Police arrested 44-year-old Sean Bennett of Madison, Illinois shortly after the shooting. Bennett was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm. Prosecutors say Bennett shot Ayers with a stolen Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm, took an Anderson Manufacturing AR15-style pistol from him, and fired multiple shots toward another person. Bennett was being held on $2 million bond at the Granite City Police Department; the three murder counts were expected to be merged into one as proceedings continued.

Ayers family and the community were described as grieving, and local officials stressed the need for support and resources to address gun violence. If anyone has information about what happened that night, please come forward.