ALTON, Ill. — A shooting at the Alton Acres housing complex on Wednesday night claimed the life of 41-year-old Donald R. Lane, according to the Alton Police Department. The deadly incident, which also left another person injured, occurred on May 28 in what investigators believe was a targeted conflict.
Police were called to the 3100 block of Lawn Street around 9:33 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found Lane in a vehicle with a gunshot wound. Officers began performing first aid until emergency medical crews from the Alton Fire Department arrived and rushed Lane to a nearby hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Crime scene investigators marked at least 17 pieces of evidence near a Ford Fiesta, including numerous spent shell casings. A cellphone was also recovered near one of the casings. The Illinois State Police sent crime scene experts to assist Alton Police in processing the area for clues and gathering key evidence.
While police continued their investigation at the scene, they were informed that another gunshot victim had arrived at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center. That individual was later transferred to a hospital in St. Louis for further care. The identity and current condition of the second victim have not yet been released.
Initial findings suggest the shooting was not a random act of violence. Authorities believe it stemmed from a dispute between people who knew each other. Officers cordoned off a large section of the street, placing numbered evidence markers on shell casings found inside the car, on the road, and in a nearby parking lot—indicating that multiple shots may have been fired from different directions.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials are working to gather more details. Alongside the Alton Police Department, the Illinois State Police, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, East Alton Police Department, and Wood River Police Department are all assisting with the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. As the community mourns the loss of Donald Lane, police continue working to find answers and ensure those responsible are held accountable.