Moss and Ink local

Skip ahead:

1. Incident Overview
2. Charges
3. Pre-Trial Proceedings
4. Trial Day One and Two
5. Trial Day Three
6. Trial Day 4 and Verdict
7. Sentencing

Incident Overview

Date: May 6, 2023

Location: 100 block of West Hickory Street, Streator, Illinois (following an earlier altercation in the 100 block of North Bloomington Street)

Time: Approximately 3:44 a.m.

Summary: Malcolm J. Whitfield, then 31 years old and a resident of Streator and DeKalb, Illinois, is accused of firing shots into a group during a large altercation, killing 35-year-old Shaquita M. Kelly and injuring Breanna Anderson and Emmett Williams. The incident followed an earlier exchange of gunshots with no injuries. Whitfield and co-defendant Rachael N. Carter fled to Memphis, Tennessee, in a dark-colored Pontiac Grand Prix and were apprehended on May 10, 2023, then extradited to La Salle County, Illinois. Evidence from both scenes included multiple shell casings indicating several guns were involved. Victims were treated at OSF Center for Health-Streator, with two transferred to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where Kelly died during surgery. The investigation involved the Streator Police Department, La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, and La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Pictured: Malcolm Whitfield (booking photo)

Charges

Whitfield was initially charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm. On June 6, 2023, a La Salle County grand jury indicted him on:

• First-degree murder (three counts): For the death of Shaquita M. Kelly; potential sentence of 20–60 years without probation or good behavior time reduction.
• Aggravated discharge of a firearm (multiple counts): Including one for a shot fired at a 30-year-old man who was not injured.
• Aggravated battery with a firearm (multiple counts): For injuries to Breanna Anderson and Emmett Williams.
• Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (Class 3 felony): Added July 18, 2023; 2–5 years.

If convicted on all counts, Whitfield faced up to 145 years in prison. His bond was increased from $1 million to $5 million due to the severity of the charges and his flight to Tennessee. He pleaded not guilty on June 9, 2023.

Co-Defendant: Rachael N. Carter, 36, of Streator, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (3–7 years) and one count of aiding a fugitive (1–3 years). She admitted to providing ammunition and transportation to Whitfield. On February 22, 2024, she pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and aiding a fugitive, receiving a 4-year prison sentence. She was not indicted for murder, suggesting a minor role or cooperation with prosecutors. Carter was released in September 2025.

Pre-Trial Proceedings

• Arraignment: Initial charges filed; murder and additional firearm charges added post-indictment.
• Continuances: Trial originally set for August 28, 2023. Postponed multiple times, including on October 15, 2024 (Whitfield waived speedy trial rights, rescheduled to January 21, 2025, with public defender Ryan Hamer) and March 20, 2025 (to allow private counsel search). Jury selection began July 21, 2025, in La Salle County Circuit Court under Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.

Trial Days One and Two

Day 1 (July 21, 2025): Jury selection followed immediately by opening statements. Prosecution presented two witnesses, including co-defendant Rachael Carter, who testified under her plea deal.

Day 2 (July 22, 2025): Prosecution witnesses described two shootings that night, suggesting the fatal one was retaliatory, contradicting Whitfield’s self-defense claim. Streator Police Officer Ryne Reel and others testified to a “chaotic” scene with multiple shell casings from different guns.

Trial Day 3

July 23, 2025: Focus on Whitfield’s flight to Memphis with Carter, where they were arrested and interviewed by Streator officers. A taped interview played, in which Whitfield denied fleeing, claiming a pre-planned family visit (unreported to his probation officer, Jenny Fredrickson, as required). He asserted he was breaking up a fight, had no intent to shoot, and a gun was pointed at him. Streator Police Sergeant Jason Moore acknowledged a gun was aimed at Whitfield but questioned if it justified self-defense. Whitfield announced he would not testify. Both sides rested; closing arguments set for the next day at 1 p.m.

Trial Day 4 and Verdict

July 24, 2025: Closing arguments from both sides. After 2 hours of deliberations, the jury found Whitfield guilty on 8 felonies, including first-degree murder, rejecting his self-defense claim. Whitfield showed no reaction; some supporters left the gallery in distress. La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro stated, “I think justice was done today – 100%.“

Sentencing

Originally scheduled for October 3, 2025, but delayed to November 25, 2025, at defense request for additional character letters. On November 25, 2025, before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.:

• Whitfield apologized: “I certainly have learned my lesson and would like to change my ways, my conduct, my self control.”
• Defense Attorney Ryan Hamer described the incident as “a horrible fluke” and “a horrible, unfortunate accident.“
• Assistant State’s Attorney Kelley Porter argued: “He went there with a gun, got mad someone called him a name and fired into a group of people!” She highlighted his lack of remorse as a “complete disregard for human life.”

Sentence: 60 years for first-degree murder + 20 years for aggravated battery with a firearm, served consecutively. Eligible for 3 years off the battery sentence, requiring at least 77 years in prison. Whitfield was 31 at sentencing.

Case status: Closed-Defendant transferred to IDOC.

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-Willow Moss