DUPO, Ill. – Three teenagers are facing charges Friday for a double shooting in Dupo, Illinois, that left a man dead.
Authorities say one of the suspects is the victim’s own son, sending shockwaves throughout the community, with many struggling to comprehend the escalation to violence.
16-year-old Todd Kingston and 18-year-old Bryce Rhodes are charged in the murder of 36-year-old Cody Rhodes. An unnamed 15-year-old has also been charged, police announced Friday.
The incident occurred in a quiet residential area Monday, leaving Cody dead and another individual injured.
Bryce allegedly sold the handgun used in the shooting to Kingston and then hid the gun in a backpack following the murder.
“The suspects, aged 15 and 16, attempted to purchase a firearm with counterfeit money. During the transaction, the suspects showed an additional firearm, leading to gunfire that resulted in the death of Cody Rhodes,” Sgt. Justin Biggs with the Major Case Squad said.
Court documents allege that Rhodes knowingly sold the handgun to a minor—that minor being Todd. They also state Todd is the one who pulled the trigger.
Todd is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm without FOID, and forgery. Bryce is charged with the sale of a firearm to a minor, possession of a firearm without a FOID, and obstruction of justice. The 15-year-old, from Belleville, is charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm without FOID, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
All three suspects are in custody.