Woman fatally shot inside Illinois home

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Summary: Mariah R. Fearn, 32, was fatally shot inside an Illinois home on the morning of June 1, 2026. Police found her dead and another man seriously wounded from gunfire and blunt force trauma. Officers quickly arrested 46-year-old John A. Hammond of Alton in Carlinville. He faces first-degree murder charges, attempted murder, and additional felonies. Hammond remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

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ALTON, Illinois — A 32-year-old Alton woman lost her life early on a Monday morning in June when gunfire erupted inside a local home. Mariah R. Fearn died from gunshot wounds on June 1, 2026, just before 8 a.m. Authorities say the attack also left another person seriously hurt.

Police responded quickly to the scene after receiving a 911 call. Officers found Fearn deceased and a man suffering from both gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma. The male victim, later identified as Patrick A. Greenwell, received initial treatment locally before being airlifted to a hospital in the St. Louis area for further care.

Investigators moved fast. Within hours, they located and arrested John A. Hammond, 46, also of Alton, in Carlinville. On June 3, prosecutors charged him with multiple serious felonies. The list includes two counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender. Court documents indicate Hammond allegedly used a handgun and struck the surviving victim with a hammer.

Fearn, born August 21, 1993, in Alton, leaves behind family members including a young daughter, siblings, and parents. Her sudden death has cut short a life rooted in this Illinois river town.

Hammond remains in custody at the Madison County Jail as the legal process moves forward. Police have not released details about any possible motive or relationship between those involved, focusing instead on building a solid case with evidence gathered at the scene and during the rapid arrest.

This case highlights how quickly a quiet morning can turn devastating. Small communities like Alton, situated along the Mississippi River, often feel the ripple effects of such violence deeply, even as officials work to deliver justice through the courts.

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Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Sources:

Alton Police Department Announcement

The Telegraph Coverage

Advantage News Report

Mariah Fearn Obituary

View 28 black-on-white homicides reported in May 2026 ►