Joliet man charged in Decatur murder

JOLIET – A 19-year-old man was arrested here Monday on charges from a Decatur murder case.

Jevon E. Barber allegedly shot and killed a 28-year-old man and wounded four other people at a club early Monday, according to Decatur Deputy Police Chief Cody Moore.

Barber was attending a rap concert at Club Maxey, 1816 N. Water St. in Decatur, when a confrontation began between two groups of patrons, Moore said. Barber allegedly shot Mishari Halbrook, 28, of Decatur, multiple times and fled.

Halbrook was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The other four victims' injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to reports.

Joliet Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said Decatur police contacted Joliet officers to "check on some street names" and tactical officers identified Barber.

Barber was located about 6 p.m. at a residence in the 800 block of Elizabeth Street and placed under surveillance, Gregory said.

"He came out the back and ran back into the kitchen when officers approached, but was taken into custody without incident," Gregory said.

Joliet police secured the residence before Decatur investigators arrived with a search warrant Monday night.

Barber was arrested on a charge of murder and is being held in the Macon County jail on a $1 million bond.

According to jail records, Barber was arrested by Joliet police Aug. 7, 2014 on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized possession of ammunition.