2 suspects in fatal Streator shooting apprehended in Memphis

No one is charged with a homicide yet, but authorities have apprehended two suspects in the fatal shooting last Saturday morning in Streator.

Malcolm J. Whitfield, 29, and Rachael N. Carter, 36, both of Streator, were picked up Wednesday in Memphis, Tennessee, on La Salle County warrants.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said both suspects waived their rights to extradition hearings in Tennessee. County officials are making arrangements to return them to La Salle County.

For now, Whitfield is charged in La Salle County Circuit Court with aggravated discharge of a firearm, and Carter is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Navarro, who confirmed their arrests, said additional charges are under review.

Whitfield and Carter were suspected in the shooting incident reported at 3:44 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of West Hickory Street in Streator. There, witnesses reported three people had been shot.

Three victims were taken to OSF Center for Health-Streator for initial treatment. Two were then transferred to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. One of the victims, a 35-year-old woman whose name has not yet been disclosed, died as a result of her injuries during a surgery.

For now, Whitfield is charged only with firing a shot at a 30-year-old Streator man who was not injured. If convicted of the Class 1 felony, Whitfield could face up to 15 years in prison.

Similarly, Carter for now is only charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. She could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the Class 2 felony.

(There were two shootings May 6 in Streator. Authorities still are investigating an earlier incident at 2 a.m. in the 100 block of North Bloomington Street. The shots fired scattered a “large altercation,” but no one was injured or killed.)