Terence L. Hicks, a 34-year-old African American man, was shot and killed in downtown Alton, Illinois, on October 11, 2020. Officers on patrol heard gunfire near W. Fourth Street and State Street around 12:45 a.m.; Hicks was found with a gunshot wound and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Alton Police Department said the incident was not random and that the people involved knew one another. Three individuals were charged in connection with the shooting: Charlton K. Merchant, 30, faced multiple counts including first-degree murder; Aareon Vaughn, 27, faced counts including first-degree murder; and Terrea D. Gates, 30, was charged with obstructing justice. Bail and holding conditions were reported for each person.

Does anyone have information about Hicks, his movements that night, or the area around W. Fourth and State Streets that could help clarify what happened?