Joshua K. Smith, a Ramsey, Illinois resident, was shot in the head with a .38 revolver early on August 11, 2017. He was taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia and later transferred to a St. Louis hospital, where he died that same day after a violent altercation.

Alexander Beccue, 24, of St. Elmo, was arrested a few hours after the shooting following a brief manhunt and initially held on attempted first-degree murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and possession of a weapon by a felon. After Smith’s death the charges were elevated; Beccue appeared in Fayette County Court on August 14, 2017, and fainted during arraignment. Multiple agencies assisted the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, and witness statements contributed to the arrest and charges.

Court records show Beccue was later convicted of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and received a 30-year sentence; the matter was subject to appellate and resentencing proceedings that returned a 30-year term. If anyone knew Joshua, was present that morning, or has information about the events leading up to the shooting, please come forward.