4th suspect charged in fatal shooting of Olney teen

OLNEY (WSIL) -- On October 10th, the office of the Richland County State’s Attorney Charles Bradley Vaughn charged Dale E. Boatman Jr. with three counts of First-Degree Murder by Accountability.

The Richland County State's Attorney is also charging the 32-year-old of Olney with one count of Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder for his role in the murder of Kyle M. Johnson.

Authorities set Boatman's bond at a million dollars as he remains in custody in the Richland County Jail.

The charges stem from a fatal shooting that took place on September 6, 2020 at the intersection of North Walnut and East Laurel Street in Olney, Illinois.

An adult male, later identified as Kyle M. Johnson, a 19-year-old from Olney, IL, was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Johnson was transported to an area hospital where he from his injuries.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 officials were requested by the Olney Police Department to assist with the homicide investigation.

Through information gathered during the investigation led by ISP, four arrests including Boatman have resulted in connection with Johnson's homicide.

The other three arrested in the case are as follows:

Rick A. Meador, of Olney, for First-Degree murder and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder.

The 18-year-old was found and on September 30th, and was extradited to the Richland County jail in Illinois where he is currently being held.

Also being held at that jail is Tara N. Haws, a 33-year-old female of Olney. She for First-Degree Murder by Accountability and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old female of Olney, is being held at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.

She was found with and brought back to Illinois, and also faces first degree murder charges for First-Degree Murder by Accountability and Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder .

ISP DCI Zone 8 was assisted by the Olney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, ISP District 12 Patrol, ISP District 13 Patrol, and the United States Marshals in this investigation.