COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The Major Case Squad has been activated after a woman was found shot dead in a driveway on the 1300 Block of Olive Street in Collinsville, Ill.
More than two dozen detectives, along with the Major Case Squad, are working on this case to uncover the details of this tragic occurrence Tuesday morning.
“Three shots back to back, I woke up to them,” Sierra Payne, a local, said.
Collinsville residents are in disbelief after police say their neighbor was shot and killed unexpectedly.
“Scary, my heart is pounding. This is close; this hit home. I’ve been here 50 years now and I’m like, ‘Oh my,’ I can look out my window and see this stuff,” Sharilyn Lyerla added to the disbelief among locals.
The Collinsville Police Department says they responded to a report of shots fired around 6 a.m. Tuesday morning and, upon arrival, police discovered the body of a woman outside in the driveway.
“It is scary; it’s really crazy to think that there are people out there that would do that, “ Sierra Payne said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, authorities identified the victim as 32-year-old Portia Rowland.
Neighbors say she was loved by all.
It is unclear what led up to the shooting or who’s responsible for this tragedy.
The Collinsville Police Department asked the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis to lead the investigation.
Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Collinsville Police Department as this is an on-going investigation.