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19-year-old Mounds, Ill., man killed in Cairo shooting

Southeast Missourian

Police stand near the scene of a fatal Thursday morning shooting on
Fourth Street in Cairo, Ill. In the photo is a maroon SUV believed to
have been involved in the incident.
(Melissa Miller)

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo police are investigating a homicide that occurred early Thursday morning outside Mary J's Lounge in the 400 block of Commercial Street. Jeserick Pilgram, 19, of Mounds, Ill., was shot to death after 2 a.m., according to Cairo police chief Timothy Brown.

A second victim, Tyrone Watson, 30, of Cairo was shot in the lower left calf and taken by helicopter to a Cape Girardeau hospital, said Lt. Gary Hankins of the Cairo Police Department.

Police responded to a report of shots fired near the intersection of Fourth and Commercial streets about 2:30 a.m. and found 75 to 100 people gathered there.

Police have been interviewing witnesses since the incident occurred.

At this time police would not comment on a possible motive and would not release a description of any suspects. The victims did know each other, according to police, and were patrons of Mary J's. However, the shooting did not occur inside the bar.

Police said shots were fired in the street from what they believe to be handguns. Two vehicles near the scene were hit by stray bullets, Hankins said.

The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit has been collecting evidence at the scene throughout the day.

Alexander County Coroner Willy Bingham said an autopsy on Pilgram was to be performed Thursday afternoon. Details from the autopsy had not yet been released just before 4 p.m., and police would not comment on Pilgram's injuries.

Cairo police ask anyone with information about this incident to call 618-734-2131.

From the KFVS TV Channel 12...

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Police investigate shooting in Cairo

By Heartland News

CAIRO, IL (KFVS) - Police are interviewing witnesses as they investigate a deadly shooting outside a club in Cairo early Thursday morning.

Cairo Police Chief Timothy Brown says 19-year-old Jeserick Pilgram of Mounds, died in the shooting.

A second person, 30 year-old Tyron Watson of Cairo, was also shot. Watson was taken to a Cape Girardeau hospital. He's in stable condition.

Investigators taped off the area around Mary J's Club at 4th and Commercial streets. They appear to be investigating a car involved in the shooting and a maroon SUV. Bullet holes were seen inside the SUV.

Mary J's owner Percy Jones Jr. says 50 to 60 people were outside when gunshots rang out about 2 a.m.

"I got outside, I just saw two cars turning the corner and a guy across the street was shooting at the cars," said Jones Jr. "By that time police cars was coming up."

Illinois State Police crime scene investigators have been on scene taking pictures and marking several areas on the east side of the road.

Police blocked off an area at 4th and Commercial streets in Cairo just outside of Mary J's Lounge. Officers say that is where the shooting took place about 2 a.m. Thursday. The bar was open for business at the time.

Investigators are searching for a suspect vehicle but they have not said what type of vehicle it is or how many people they are looking for.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Department is helping Cairo Police in their search for that vehicle.