Springfield man charged with murder following weekend homicide

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A Springfield man is facing murder charges in Springfield in connection to a homicide that happened over the weekend .

Springfield Police officials said they arrested Ventellis Cooper, 48, on Monday following a court-authorized search in the area of Ash and 15th Streets. Cooper was initially booked on charges of possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of a gun without a FOID card.

Two days later, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Cooper with one count of unlawful possession, but also with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a firearm and three counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege that Cooper shot Antoine Williams the morning of Oct. 13.

Williams was found in a car at 17th and Cook Streets just after 1 a.m. with a gunshot wound. He later died at a nearby hospital.

Cooper made his first court appearance on Wednesday, the same day he was charged. He was denied pretrial release, and his next court date was scheduled for Oct. 31.

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