Second person charged in shooting death of teen in Collinsville
A second teenager has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Collinsville last week.
Jason O. Jerez-Hooker, 18, of Collinsville was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, which was a handgun, according to charging documents filed by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine and a news release from the Collinsville Police Department on Wednesday.
Hooker surrendered himself on the charges Tuesday at the Collinsville Police Department, which is located less than a block from where Vaeden J. Hawkes was found fatally shot on April 24.
Isaiah T. Jenkins, 16, was charged in connection with the homicide last week.
Jenkins was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, which was a Glock 43 9mm handgun, according to the charging documents filed by Haine.
Jerez-Hooker and Jenkins each have their bail set at $5 million.
Jerez-Hooker was being held at the Collinsville Police Department as of Wednesday as he awaited arraignment.
Three people were arrested near the scene of the shooting after a brief foot chase. A fourth person got away.
“Jerez-Hooker was that individual, and at this time all individuals directly involved in the homicide of Vaeden (Hawkes), or who were witnesses, have been identified,” the Collinsville news release stated.
Hawkes was shot in the 200 block of Seminary Street less than a block from the Collinsville Police Department headquarters.
Police have not released a motive or the circumstances of the shooting.
“This doesn’t feel real,” Hawkes’ mother, Jessica Hawkes, said in a social media message to the Belleville News-Democrat last week.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help Hawkes’ family.
“Vaeden had a great love of music, including his favorite band Tool,” fundraising page states. “He enjoyed playing sports with his childhood friends, especially basketball and soccer. He also loved to play tennis often with his sister Toby and his dad Joe. Vaeden enjoyed being outside surrounded by the peace of nature and bird watching which he sometimes did along with his mom Jessica.
“He was a loving soul and there is nothing that could ever fill the void he has left behind.”
