ASHLAND, IL – A shooting rampage in Ashland, Illinois, left four dead, including the suspect, on Thursday night. Another person was critically injured by the gunfire. The sequence of violence has rocked the small-town community, marking it as the site of the nation’s 637th mass shooting this year.
Among the victims was 19-year-old Autumn Bell, who was expecting her first child as revealed on social media a month prior. Also killed were 16-year-old Alaria Bell and 53-year-old Christina Bell. A male victim, yet to be identified publicly, is still in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot.
Local authorities identified the shooter as 62-year-old Ronald “Butch” Cobren Jr., who was engaged to victim Christina Bell. Cobren was a retired U.S. postal worker and a long-time resident of Ashland. He was found dead in his car in Jacksonville, Illinois, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sheriff Devron Ohrn of Cass County, who personally knew all involved parties, spoke out on Friday afternoon and reflected on the impact of such an event on the small community. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other, remembering the victims, and offering help where needed.
Although autopsies for all the deceased are scheduled for Monday, authorities say the results won’t be able to determine the motive behind the disturbing shooting.
A multitude of law enforcement agencies were involved in the case, including the Illinois State Police Zone 4 Investigations, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Division, Illinois State Police Patrol, Ashland Police Department, Beardstown Police Department, Pleasant Plains Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Menard County Sheriff’s Office.