Suspect on the loose after 3 shot for interrupting burglary in St. Clair County

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - Detectives are searching for a suspect after a burglary at a St. Clair County home ended in a deadly triple shooting Thursday.

The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. in the 9300 block of Golden Rule Mine Road in New Athens. Officials said three people interrupted a burglary and were shot. Police believe the suspect was driving a light blue Chevy Equinox with a yellow light or small light bar on the roof.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department shared a photo Saturday of the alleged suspect’s vehicle, dated June 2 at 10:35 a.m.

After the shooting, Trentin Blakey said he had been waiting hours for word on his brother, who was at the home supposedly doing landscaping at the time of the shooting. Police later identified Austin Evans-Blakey, 25, of Lenzburg, Illinois, as one of the victims who was shot and killed. Evans-Blakey was working as a handyman by the homeowner.

Police said one man was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, and another was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting victims weren’t identified but police confirmed the ages: a 50-year-old man and a 47-year-old man.

The Major Case Squad was called in to assist the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

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