Gregory W. Hostetler

Gregory W. Hostetler, a 48-year-old White man, was a well-known business owner and collector from rural Dalton City, Illinois. Born in Decatur on December 15, 1975, he was the owner of Greg’s Towing and Recovery and Five Star Auto Sales. Friends and family knew him as a man with a heart of gold who would do anything for anyone. He had a passion for the scrap business and for collecting old cars, antique toys, and oil cans; his collection of oil cans was considered one of the best in the country. He is survived by his parents, his fiancée and her three children, his sister, and numerous other family members.

On May 13, 2024, Hostetler was at his business, Five Star Auto Sales, in Hervey City when a man identified as 25-year-old Tiimon Perry arrived to retrieve a vehicle that had been towed earlier that day. A dispute arose over the $50 towing fee. When Perry said he needed to leave to get more tools, he was told he had to pay the fee or leave his keys first. In response, Hostetler moved the vehicle to a secure part of the lot. Witnesses said this led to a physical fight between Hostetler and Perry inside Perry's car.

During the struggle, Hostetler yelled to his 18-year-old nephew, Kolby Sunderland, that Perry had a gun and that he needed help. Sunderland ran to the vehicle, climbed over his uncle, and began striking Perry to make him drop the weapon. The fight spilled out of the driver's side door, with both Hostetler and Perry falling to the ground. Sunderland came around the car and continued trying to get the gun away from Perry.

At one point, Hostetler briefly disengaged from the fight. His nephew yelled for him to help, and as Hostetler tried to re-engage, Perry fired the handgun, striking him in the face. Hostetler died at the scene. Perry then pointed the gun at Sunderland, who grabbed the weapon and moved it just as Perry fired a second time, hitting Sunderland in the shoulder. Despite his injury, Sunderland continued to fight for the gun, slamming Perry’s head into the ground until he let go. As Perry got up and tried to run away, Sunderland fired one round, hitting him in the buttocks and groin area.

Both Sunderland and Perry were taken to a hospital for their injuries. The Macon County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting, and Tiimon Perry was arrested. He was charged with murder and weapons-related offenses. In court, Perry entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. As of May 2024, the case was proceeding through the legal system.