April 19, 2024
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Man who died in Ottawa shooting report identified

Investigation continues, authorities say

By Derek Barichello

An Ottawa police car is parked outside a home at 832 Tomahawk Drive on the south side of Ottawa on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Police are investigating the death of a reported intruder after shots were fired Wednesday night. (Scott Anderson)

Officials identified the man who died Wednesday night after shots were reported at 832 Tomahawk Drive in Ottawa.

The La Salle County Coroner’s Office said Matthew E. Cavanagh, 33, homeless, was the deceased person. An autopsy has been conducted, Coroner Rich Ploch said in a Friday press release.

The incident remains under investigation by the Ottawa Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Investigators, and the La Salle County coroner and state’s attorneys office.

Authorities have not said much more about the incident Wednesday than what was released Thursday morning.

Ottawa police received a report of a person intruding into a residence 11:07 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of Tomahawk Drive, in which gun shots had been fired.

Police met with the resident and found a man dead, identified as an intruder.

Ottawa Police Capt. Mike Cheatham said the incident appears to be isolated to the residence involved.