MCS Report #782
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
Date of Activation: 06/02/2022
Commander and Department: Capt. Bruce Fleshren, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Sgt. Danny Allison, Caseyville Police Department
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Det. Jason Frank, Swansea Police Department
Victim: Austin M. Evans-Blakey
Suspects: Michael W. Johnson and Martin J. Morrison
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Austin Evans-Blakey (age 25). At approximately 11:29am, deputies responded to a residence in the 9300 block of Golden Rule Mine Road for a report of subjects shot. There deputies located three males outside of the residence who had all been shot. Austin Evans-Blakey was pronounced dead on scene.
Two other men outside of the residence were also shot. One of the males was airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis, MO with critical injuries. The other male was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The two men survived their injuries.
Investigators believe the three victims interrupted a burglary to the residence and were shot as a result of arriving while the crime was in progress.
As a result of this investigation, the following criminal charges were issued:
Michael Johnson (age 43) - 1st Degree Murder and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm - Bond $2,000,000
Martin Morrison (age 43) - 1st Degree Murder and Residential Burglary - Bond $1,000,000. He was additionally charged with Possession of Methamphetamine - Bond $50,000
