STREATOR, Ill. — Malcolm J. Whitfield, 31, of Streator and DeKalb, was convicted on July 24, 2025 of first-degree murder and seven additional felony counts in connection with a May 6, 2023 shooting that killed 35-year-old Shaquita M. Kelly and wounded two others. On November 25, 2025, Whitfield was sentenced to a total of 80 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case was prosecuted in La Salle County Circuit Court before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.
By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink | Updated November 25, 2025
Case Status
- Current status: Closed — convicted and sentenced; defendant transferred to IDOC
- Verdict: Guilty on 8 felonies, including first-degree murder (July 24, 2025)
- Sentence: 80 years total (60 years murder + 20 years aggravated battery, consecutive); minimum ~77 years to be served
- Custody status: In Illinois Department of Corrections custody
- Court: La Salle County Circuit Court
- Presiding/Sentencing judge: Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.
- Last updated: November 25, 2025
Incident Overview
- Date: May 6, 2023
- Location: 100 block of West Hickory Street, Streator (following an earlier altercation in the 100 block of North Bloomington Street)
- Time: Approximately 3:44 a.m.
Malcolm J. Whitfield, then 31, of Streator and DeKalb, 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. 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 the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Pictured: Malcolm Whitfield (booking photo)
Arrest & 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 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. Carter was released in September 2025.
Case Timeline & Proceedings
May 6, 2023 — Shooting
Shooting on West Hickory Street kills Shaquita M. Kelly and wounds two others.
May 10, 2023 — Arrest
Whitfield and co-defendant Rachael Carter apprehended in Memphis, Tennessee, and later extradited to La Salle County.
June 6, 2023 — Indictment
La Salle County grand jury indicts Whitfield on multiple counts, including three counts of first-degree murder.
June 9, 2023 — Plea
Whitfield pleaded not guilty. Bond increased from $1 million to $5 million.
Pre-trial — Continuances
Trial originally set for August 28, 2023, then 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 a private-counsel search). A Class 3 unlawful-possession charge had been added July 18, 2023.
July 21, 2025 — Trial Day 1
Jury selection began in La Salle County Circuit Court under Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr., followed immediately by opening statements. The prosecution presented two witnesses, including co-defendant Rachael Carter, who testified under her plea deal.
July 22, 2025 — Trial Day 2
Prosecution witnesses described two shootings that night, suggesting the fatal one was retaliatory and 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.
July 23, 2025 — Trial Day 3
Testimony focused on Whitfield’s flight to Memphis with Carter, where they were arrested and interviewed by Streator officers. A taped interview was played in which Whitfield denied fleeing, claiming a pre-planned family visit (which had not been reported to his probation officer, Jenny Fredrickson, as required). He asserted he was breaking up a fight, had no intent to shoot, and that a gun was pointed at him. Streator Police Sergeant Jason Moore acknowledged a gun was aimed at Whitfield but questioned whether it justified self-defense. Whitfield announced he would not testify; both sides rested.
July 24, 2025 — Day 4 & Verdict
After closing arguments and about two hours of deliberation, the jury found Whitfield guilty on 8 felonies, including first-degree murder, rejecting his self-defense claim. La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro stated he believed justice was done.
Nov. 25, 2025 — Sentencing
Sentencing, originally scheduled for October 3, 2025, was delayed to November 25, 2025 at the defense’s request for additional character letters. Before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr., Whitfield apologized and said he had learned his lesson; Defense Attorney Ryan Hamer described the incident as a “horrible, unfortunate accident,” while Assistant State’s Attorney Kelley Porter emphasized what she characterized as a lack of remorse and disregard for human life.
Sentence: 60 years for first-degree murder plus 20 years for aggravated battery with a firearm, served consecutively. With eligibility for 3 years off the battery sentence, Whitfield must serve at least 77 years. He was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Co-Defendant Status
Rachael N. Carter pleaded guilty on February 22, 2024 to unlawful possession of a weapon and aiding a fugitive, received a 4-year prison sentence, and was released in September 2025. She was not charged with murder.
All information is sourced from publicly available law-enforcement releases, court filings, and official statements. This case has concluded at the trial level.
—Willow Moss