By Trend News Line 2024-03-30 00:36:00.
BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington teenager, Colin S. Simpson, has been accused of shooting two individuals at a Normal apartment complex last year and will remain in custody until his trial, as ruled by a McLean County judge on Friday. Simpson, 18, faces multiple serious charges including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of aggravated battery following a drive-by shooting incident on March 6, 2023, at Orlando Northbrook Estates in Normal.
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Law enforcement officers responding to the scene found two victims who had each sustained two gunshot wounds; one victim was shot in the back, while the other was shot in both legs. Assistant State’s Attorney Aaron Fredrick revealed that nine shell casings were recovered from the scene and bullet holes were discovered on both the exterior and interior of the apartment complex.
Simpson is charged by accountability, indicating that prosecutors believe he or someone under his responsibility discharged the firearm during the incident. Fredrick stated that the evidence suggests the involvement of more than one shooter, although no additional arrests have been made in connection with the case. The prosecutor filed a petition opposing Simpson’s pretrial release, citing concerns about the danger he poses to individuals and the community based on his criminal history.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Simpson was on juvenile probation at the time of the shooting due to a prior conviction for conspiracy to commit residential burglary. Cellphone data placed Simpson at the scene of the crime at the time of the shooting, and Bluetooth data indicated his presence in the vehicle used during the drive-by. Additionally, testimonies from witnesses and forensic evidence further linked Simpson to the shooting incident.
Simpson’s defence attorney, Mackenzie Frizzell, highlighted inconsistencies in the identification of her client and argued that the cellphone data presented in court may not provide a complete picture of the events. She emphasized that Simpson was not known to possess weapons and was set to graduate from high school in May. Frizzell proposed that Simpson could adhere to court-imposed conditions if released, including home confinement.
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However, Judge Scott Kording sided with the prosecution, citing substantial evidence linking Simpson to the shooting and expressing concerns about the safety of both the victims and the broader community. Kording emphasized that Simpson’s disregard for court orders in the past, as evidenced by his actions while on juvenile probation, raised serious doubts about his willingness to comply with any release conditions. As a result, Kording denied Simpson’s release and ordered him to have no contact with the victims involved in the case.
Simpson’s arraignment is scheduled for April 12, and the investigation into the drive-by shooting at the Normal apartment complex continues. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story..
– Bloomington teen jailed attempted murder charges
– Bloomington teen attempted murder charges.
