JACKSON COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney
Jackson County Courthouse · 1001 Walnut Street · Third Floor · Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7200 · Fax (618) 687-7215
CARBONDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Stan Reno, Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney
February March 28, 2023
Brennen Gibbs Charged for December Shootings
Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez, announced today that Brennen Gibbs, age 17, of Marion, Illinois, has been charged for multiple shootings that occurred in Carbondale in December of 2022. Gibbs has been charged as an adult with multiple counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
On December 19, 2022, Carbondale police responded to the 500 block of South Forest Street in Carbondale around 11:05 P.M. They said the suspect left the area before they arrived. There were no injuries as a result of the shooting incident. A resident did report damage to a residence.
On December 24, 2022, Carbondale Officers responded to the 400 Block of West Pecan in regard to a shots fired call. Similar shootings were reported in Marion and Herrin just earlier that night. It was suspected that the shootings were related, and so multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the investigation including the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Carbondale, Marion, and Herrin police departments, and both the Jackson County and Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Offices.
On January 8, 2023, Williamson County Deputies located a vehicle of interest. Suspects attempted to flee and were eventually arrested by Williamson County authorities.
Jackson County State’s Attorney Cervantez charged Gibbs with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm for the offenses in Carbondale. Subsequently, State’s Attorney Cervantez petitioned the Court to transfer Gibbs’ charges to adult court. The judiciary granted the request.
Chief Reno said, “The Carbondale Police Department is thankful to State’s Attorney Cervantez, and the judiciary for holding this violent offender accountable for his actions. I want all violent offenders to know that if they commit violent crimes in Carbondale, they will be held accountable regardless of their age status. I appreciate the assiduous decision making by the State’s Attorney to use statutory tools in order to send the message that violent offenders will be prosecuted.”
State’s Attorney Cervantez thanked Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their response and resolve in this situation. Cervantez said, “ The cooperation among law enforcement professionals from Jackson County and Williamson County is key to keeping violent offenders off of the street. We’ll continue working together to keep Southern Illinois a safe community”
State’s Attorney Cervantez emphasized that “the charges filed are not evidence of guilt—a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which this office has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”