Chief of Police John Anton reports that on March 24, 2020 at approximately 2:40 PM the DeWitt Police responded to the intersection of Silver St and W Yates St, for reported shots fired. Upon arrival officers found a four door Nissan sedan had been struck with at least one projectile and also located multiple 9 MM shell casings at the scene.
The occupant of the Nissan, a 26 year old male, stated he was sitting in the vehicle while his girlfriend was getting their 1 year old infant out of the car seat. After the child was removed from the car he stated a 17 year old male, who was the brother of his girlfriend, walked up to his vehicle and began shooting at him, at which point he drove away as at least one of the bullets hit his vehicle. The victim also stated that the suspect was dropped off by a newer Dodge Charger driven by an associate of the brother, Steven Macko and that he had seen them drive by them just prior to the incident. Officers who responded to the scene were able to corroborate information provided by the victim from witnesses located in the area.
Investigators began searching multiple locations for the suspect and the shooter, with negative results. Investigators were able to reach both suspects via phone and arrange for them to turn themselves in. The 17 year old responded to the station and was arrested at approximately 7:45 PM. Steven Macko responded to the station and was taken into custody at approximately 8:30 PM. He was observed being dropped off in the Dodge Charger used in the incident. Officers subsequently stopped the Charger as it was leaving the station and seized it as evidence. The male who dropped of Macko was released after an interview and it was determined he was not involved in the shooting incident.
The 17 year old shooting suspect was charged with Attempted Assault 1st and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd and was held in Hillbrook Detention Center on $10,000 cash or $30,000 bail after arraignment.
Steven Macko was charged with Conspiracy 4th Degree. Macko was released on an appearance ticket because the charge was an E Felony, which is an offense which requires an appearance ticket by law.
The victim Anthony Steves was found to have a warrant following a failure to appear to court on an indictment for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, stemming from his arrest made by the DeWitt Police during an investigation into a shots fired incident in the same block of W Yates Street last September when it was alleged he shot his girlfriend’s mother’s porch. Steves was arraigned on the warrant and held in the Justice Center on No Bail.
The DeWitt Police would like to thank the cooperating witnesses in this case; this is a good reminder of the things that can be accomplished when community members work together with police for the betterment of their neighborhoods.
