5 years ago by Scott Hardy
Announcement made Tuesday by State's Attorney's Office
The Adams County State's Attorney's Office says that charges will not be filed in the fatal shooting earlier this month of a rural Payson man.
In a statement issued Tuesday, State's Attorney Gary Farha said that "after a careful review of the witnesses’ statements, the physical evidence, and the crime scene", charges would not be filed in the April 1st shooting death of Lowell "Randy" Oitker. Authorities were called to the home on April 1st, where they found Oitker's body. Farha says in the statement that multiple people were interviewed at the scene, and later at the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. After those interviews, Lead Trial Attorney Josh Jones released a statement saying that no arrests had been made, and that the investigation would continue.
In Tuesday's statement, Farha hints that domestic violence may have played a part in the shooting, saying that both his office and the Sheriff's Office "would also stress the difficulties that victims of domestic violence face and would encourage any person dealing with this type of situation to seek out counseling and services." The full statement is below.
On April 1, 2019, deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a shooting that occurred in rural Plainville, Illinois. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the body of Lowell Oitker (6/10/54). Shortly after receiving the initial report, multiple investigators with the Sheriff’s Department, along with personnel from both the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Illinois State Police also responded.
Multiple individuals were interviewed at the scene and later at the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. The crime scene was preserved and documented by an Illinois State Police Forensic Team. The findings and reports from the investigation were then forwarded to the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office.
After a careful review of the witnesses’ statements, the physical evidence, and the crime scene, the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office has determined that no criminal charges will be filed.
State’s Attorney Gary Farha wishes to praise the work of Sheriff Brian Vonderhaar and his investigators and deputies. Both the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Department would also stress the difficulties that victims of domestic violence face and would encourage any person dealing with this type of situation to seek out counseling and services.
