Austin Jazz Wilcox, 18, of Alton, Illinois, died on July 12, 2014, from a single gunshot wound to the head. Born February 14, 1996, in Jerseyville to John Wilcox and Lisa Light, he graduated early with honors from Alton High School and was active in music and ministry at 1st Assembly of God in Wood River. He and his father led worship and evangelized with the Misfits for Jesus ministry, including outreach to the homeless in St. Louis.

On the night he died Austin was handling a semi-automatic handgun in his Washington Avenue apartment. Witnesses reported he believed the gun was not functioning and would not fire; while others were watching television a shot was heard and Austin was found fatally wounded. The Madison County Coroner pronounced him dead at the scene; preliminary autopsy findings cited a single gunshot wound to the head and routine toxicology testing was performed. Alton police investigated and concluded the shooting was accidental, with no arrests or suspects.

His funeral was held at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, Illinois, with burial at Valhalla Memorial Park. School officials and community members remembered him as warm-hearted, musical, and engaged in ministry work. If anyone knew Austin or has information about his life and community work, please share memories or contact local investigators.