Sheridan, Illinois shooting victims identified; Ronald Martin charged with 6 counts of murder
The two people killed in a shooting and house fire at a home in Sheridan, Illinois, have been identified and a LaSalle County man is facing multiple first-degree murder charges in the case.
Ronald Martin, Jr., 45, will remain in custody until he returns to court for a detention hearing on Aug. 21, prosecutors said.
The incident began around 1 a.m. Thursday with gunshots and a house in flames in the town about 70 miles southwest of Chicago. Police were called to the scene after a neighbor called about hearing gunfire. About 25 minutes later, police received another call about a fire at the same address.
Police and firefighters arrived, putting the fire out and discovering two people dead inside the home. Two others had been able to escape; one of them called 911 for help.
Prosecutors identified the two victims as Sidney Schiltz and Melissa Vissman. They said Vissman had a "dating relationship" with Martin.
Prosecutors said Schiltz and two witnesses to the shooting who were in the home at the time were friends who lived nearby and had come over socially. Prosecutors also said the house was known to deal in narcotics and money, and said they believe the motive for the shooting may have been an argument connected to those dealings.
Autopsies were being conducted on the victims Friday. Prosecutors said one of them died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Vissman had three children, as did Schiltz. Vissman's family did not want to speak on camera but had set up a fundraiser to help pay for her funeral expenses and support her children. Schiltz's family did not respond to CBS News Chicago's requests for comments, but have also started an online fundraiser.
Prosecutors said after shooting Schiltz and Vissman, Martin set the house on fire to cover up the crime and fled. A manhunt was launched by the LaSalle County Sheriff's Department, with Illinois State Police and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force assisting in the search.
By nightfall, a law enforcement plane spotted Martin's red pickup truck about 30 miles from the crime scene. Martin was found hiding in brush on family property and arrested without incident, police said.
Martin has previously spent time in prison for robbery and aggravated assault. Police did not say whether he knew the victims, or if they recovered a weapon when he was arrested.
Prosecutors said Martin's brother was also at the home at the time and is being questioned as a possible accomplice in the shooting. They said he was recently released from prison after serving decades for a murder conviction. Prosecutors said they are still considering whether to file charges against him.
Martin had an order of protection issued against him in 2023, and years ago was sentenced to three years in prison for a robbery and aggravated assault conviction.
If Martin is convicted, he faces a mandatory sentence of natural life in prison.
Please note: The above video is from an earlier report.
