Chief Shane Brandel Reports Arrest Made in Shooting of Millikin Students
Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel
From Chief Shane Brandel
November 9, 2023
On October 15, 2023, just before 7pm, two Millikin students on their way home from a church function were involved in what could be described as a “road rage” incident that resulted in both students being shot. As the students were travelling in their car southbound on Oakland from McKinley, a vehicle pulled alongside of them. The driver of the suspect vehicle began yelling at the Millikin students about cutting him off. At this time, the driver of the suspect vehicle began shooting at the two Millikin students as they continued to drive away to seek help and safety. The driver of the suspect vehicle then fled the scene. Both students sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds as a result of this incident and were treated at Decatur Memorial Hospital and subsequently released.
Detectives from the Decatur Police Department responded to the scene and immediately began an investigation into the incident. Through a combination of their tireless efforts and the use of technology, detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Dontarious L. Murphy, 28, on charges of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. Murphy was located this morning by DPD detectives and the U.S. Marshals Task Force and arrested on the warrant, eventually being booked into the Macon County Jail. In addition, search warrants were obtained and executed on Murphy’s home and vehicle.
This case is ongoing and further investigation will be conducted. It is believed that there were additional people inside the vehicle with Murphy who detectives are working to identify. We are asking for anyone with information about the case or the identities of the passengers in the suspect vehicle to contact Detective Vickers at 217-424-2734 or Crimestoppers at 217-423-TIPS.
I cannot express my gratitude enough for the work our detectives put into this case. I am proud of them and all the DPD officers that do this job day-in and day-out. To the victims and their families, I am so sorry this happened. As the father of a college student, I can’t imagine how you felt in that moment. But you should know, we will continue our work in this case to ensure you receive justice.
On a personal note, here we are AGAIN talking about an act of senseless violence. This crime should shock the conscious of our community. Every citizen should be outraged that this happened and do everything they can to ensure the suspect is held accountable. Anyone who withholds information about this case, and others like it, should stand in front of a mirror and look into the eyes of one of the biggest problems we face in America today as it relates to violent crime. If we as a society tolerate intolerable behavior, then we should all expect repeat performances from those that seek to do harm in our communities. We need to be better at holding each other accountable and stop excusing this nonsense as anything other than what it is, which is inexcusable criminal behavior that cannot be accepted in a civilized society.
