One individual is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a violent, multi-scene shooting rampage that occurred in Ashland, Illinois on Thursday night. Among the deceased is a suspect.
Upon being presented with the names of the shooting victims and the identity of the suspect, Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn promptly commenced an investigation into the matter.
In the small downstate county where he was raised, law enforcement operates similarly; all those most directly impacted by the 637th mass shooting in the United States this year experienced the same thing.
Ohrn said in televised remarks on Friday afternoon, “Heinous acts of this magnitude rob the very fabric of any community.”
Investigators stated that the incident began Thursday evening in a dilapidated rural residence west of Springfield, where EMS was dispatched to a report of a person who had been shot in the stomach. As medical personnel approached, police discovered Autumn Bell, age 19, deceased from a gunshot wound. Bell had shared a social media photo of an ultrasound taken last month, in which she and her partner were ecstatic about the impending arrival of their first child.
Additionally, police discovered a male who had been shot and is reportedly still hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Publicly, he has not been identified. An additional gunshot was reported shortly thereafter at a nearby address. Police discovered the bodies of Alaria Bell, 16, and Christina Bell, 53, upon their arrival.
Three women were instantly killed, and one male was critically injured. He provided law enforcement with the shooter’s identity. Police suspect Ronald “Butch” Cobren Jr., 62, is responsible for the homicides. The Ashland native of many years had retired from the United States Postal Service. Additionally, he was Christina Bell’s new fiancé, as social media posts and acquaintances of the couple stated.
However, their Facebook photos failed to disclose the reason that authorities believe compelled Cobren to commit homicide. Police located Cobren’s car near North Main and Oak Street in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Illinois, shortly after discovering corpses in two separate locations, and stopped the suspect vehicle on Oak Street. The suspect was discovered in the vehicle, deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the police.
Police agencies involved in the investigation included the Illinois State Police Zone 4 Investigations, the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Division, the Illinois State Police Patrol, the Ashland Police Department, the Beardstown Police Department, the Pleasant Plains Police Department, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Menard County Sheriff’s Office.
The following day, on Friday afternoon, Sheriff Ohrn informed the I-Team that familiarity with others can foster trust when residing in a small community. The occurrence of a mass shooting may introduce additional complexities to the situation.
Sheriff Ohrn stated, “We will all get through this the Cass County way.” “Providing solace, compassion, and commemoration. Be amiable and forgiving, and hesitate to offer criticism. Please offer your prayers to the family and all those impacted by these heinous acts of violence. Lastly, if assistance is required, reach out and never forget the victims.”
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