A late-night argument outside Clayton’s Tap on West Washington Street in Morris, Illinois, turned fatal early on February 28, 2026. The dispute began inside the bar and spilled into the street, where 35-year-old Julian Rosario became involved in a physical altercation with Paul Mitchell. A third man, 22-year-old Marshall Szpara of Seneca, reportedly drew a 9mm handgun and fired, wounding Mitchell in the arm and striking Rosario first in the arm and then in the back near his right shoulder; the second bullet exited through Rosario’s jaw. Rosario collapsed and was pronounced dead at the scene; the preliminary cause of death was the gunshot wound to his neck.

Officers who were nearby on a traffic stop heard the shots, detained Szpara and recovered the firearm. Mitchell was taken to Morris Hospital and later airlifted to a level one trauma center with life-threatening injuries; he is reported to be expected to recover. After witness interviews and review of security footage, prosecutors charged Szpara with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. His defense has argued self-defense, while prosecutors point to the fatal shot striking Rosario in the back and note no other weapons were found at the scene.

Does anyone who was near Clayton’s Tap that night or who may have video surveillance from the 100 block of West Washington Street have information that could shed light on how the confrontation escalated?