Tragedy struck the community of Rantoul in the early hours of Sunday morning as a father stands accused of fatally shooting his own son. Robert McKinney Sr., aged 51, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 28-year-old son, Robert McKinney Jr. The incident has shocked residents and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
The charges against McKinney Sr. were filed on Tuesday by Champaign County Judge Brett Olmstead, following an investigation into the shooting. McKinney Sr. also faces additional charges of possessing a handgun as a felon and aggravated violence with a firearm.
According to Assistant State’s Attorney En-Chi Lin, Rantoul police responded to a call in the 700 block of East Sangamon Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning. There, they found McKinney Jr. with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, McKinney Jr. was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana later that morning.
During questioning by detectives, McKinney Sr. admitted to being involved in a confrontation with his son. He claimed that his son had begun throwing objects at him, prompting him to retrieve a revolver from a home safe for self-defense. A struggle ensued, resulting in a single gunshot that struck McKinney Jr. in the head.
McKinney Sr. further informed police that his son had been struggling with mental health issues. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained for McKinney Sr.’s home, and he was taken into custody at Champaign County Jail later that day.
The tragic incident has left the community reeling, grappling with the loss of a young life and the circumstances surrounding his death. If found guilty of first-degree murder, McKinney Sr. faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and determine the appropriate course of action. In the wake of this tragedy, the community of Rantoul mourns the loss of Robert McKinney Jr. while grappling with the complexities of mental health and family dynamics that may have contributed to this devastating outcome.