MARION COUNTY — Some details have been released on Thursday night incidents in Centralia.
According to Centralia Police Chief Greg Dodson, things started at approximately 8:40 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a shooting that occurred outside a residence in the 900 block of E. Kell Street.
The victim of the shooting 30-year-old Laquisha, or Qui Qui Lockett, of Centralia, had been taken from the scene to St Mary’s ER prior to the arrival of police by a friend of the victim.
Lockett had suffered a gunshot wound to the face. Lockett was in stable condition and the injury, although serious, was non-life-threatening.
Lockett was flown to a hospital in St Louis for treatment. Lockett as well as other witnesses identified the suspect of the shooting as 44-year-old Nathan J. Johnson, of Centralia.
According to the information given to police, the incident started over some children fighting at the same location. When the parents and adults got involved, the situation escalated and Johnson reportedly left, went and retrieved a gun, returned and shot Lockett. Johnson reportedly fled the area prior to police arriving on the scene.
The Centralia Police are currently seeking Johnson in connection with this shooting. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts should contact the Centralia Police department immediately.
In a separate incident, Centralia Police responded to a stabbing in the 700 block of East 15th Street. When Officers arrived 24-year-old Joshua Scott of Centralia was found on the scene with multiple stab wounds.
At 9:13 p.m. Scott was reportedly involved in a disturbance call at Arizona Joe’s Bar. A Central city officer assisting made contact with Scott a few blocks from the scene as he was walking away from the bar. Neither Scott nor anyone at Arizona Joe’s wanted to pursue any charges in that incident and Scott was sent on his way.
A short time later at 9:37 p.m. Centralia Police received a report of a fight in the 700 block of East 15th Street.
Once on scene, officers found Scott lying in the roadway with multiple stab wounds. Witnesses reported that Scott was involved in an altercation with multiple subjects. Scott was transported to SSM Health St Mary’s hospital where he was flown to a St Louis hospital in stable but serious condition.