Marlon A. King Jr. was 19 and a new father when he was killed on the night of May 11, 2023, inside an apartment building in the 400 block of Russell Road in DeKalb, Illinois. DeKalb police responded to shots fired at 11:14 p.m. and found King and another man, Carreon S. Scott, with gunshot wounds. King was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m. after being taken to Northwestern Kishwaukee Hospital; an autopsy reported a bullet wound to the back.

Court records describe a confrontation among King, Scott, and a third person, Jayden C. Hernandez. Prosecutors say Scott and Hernandez arrived after King was already inside; an argument became a fight on the ground during which prosecutors allege Scott shot King and Hernandez then also shot King while trying to wrest the gun away. King was found with a handgun in his coat pocket and reportedly fired during the altercation, striking Scott.

Scott, then 20, and Hernandez, then 19, were arrested May 12, 2023, and initially charged with first-degree murder and mob action; Hernandez faced an additional resisting a peace officer count. King’s family attended court hearings. If anyone witnessed the events at the Russell Road apartment or has information that could help, please share it.