MT. VERNON, IL — A 30-year-old Mt. Vernon man was charged Friday morning in Jefferson County Court with three counts of murder in a Wednesday shooting death of a 48-year-old Mt. Vernon resident. According to Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse, he pronounced Sam Gibson dead at 12:19 p.m. Wednesday of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police say a distraught female entered the Mt. Vernon Police Department lobby Wednesday afternoon and reported a male had possibly been shot at a residence in the 1800 block of Cherry. The female also reported a male at the residence had attacked her and stolen her phone.
As officers arrived, they witnessed Traviel C. Gibson run into the residence where a deceased male was lying on the front porch. Despite several commands, Gibson refused to cooperate and exit the home.
Officers ultimately entered the residence to make contact with Gibson, who reportedly continued to resist arrest resulting in one officer suffering minor injuries.
Bail was set at $3 million for Traviel Gibson Friday morning and he remains in the Jefferson County Justice Center where he was taken after his arrest Wednesday. He’s next scheduled for a June 2nd preliminary hearing and first appearance in court with his appointed attorney.
Traviel C. Gibson was additionally charged with one count Class 2 murder. Additional information is pending surrounding the woman who went to the police department and possible charges against her.