Multiple Midwestern Men Convicted of 2021-2024 Murder Cases

Several recent murder convictions highlight violent crimes across multiple states. In Tallahassee, Derrian Merritt was found guilty of murder and conspiracy for a May 2024 shooting at a Circle K gas station, where he shot Shannon Washington multiple times before fleeing the scene. In Illinois, Devin Dunbar was convicted of first-degree murder for the 2023 shooting death of 10-year-old Brandon Scott, who was shot while playing video games inside his home; Dunbar faces 45 years to life in prison, and a co-defendant received a 26-year sentence. Another Illinois case involved Joshua McGee, found guilty of first-degree murder for the 2021 fatal shooting of his girlfriend Ashley Tankersley, whose body was found in a roadside ditch; McGee also was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and faces at least 45 years to life in prison. Investigations in these cases involved surveillance footage, witness testimonies, phone records, and GPS data to establish guilt. These convictions underscore ongoing challenges with violent crime and judicial responses in the U.S.