DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A significant breakthrough has occurred in a Danville double homicide case that lingered for over a year and a half. A teenager has now been apprehended and charged with the murders of two individuals.
On Monday, the Danville Police Department revealed that Mario J. Scaife was taken into custody last Friday concerning the fatal shootings. The Vermilion County State’s Attorney has leveled serious charges against him, including first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The incident, linked to Scaife, unfolded a day before Thanksgiving in 2024. Danville Police responded to reports of gunfire at 2:45 p.m. on November 27 near Main Street and Nicklas Avenue. Upon reaching the vicinity near a barbershop, officers discovered one victim with a gunshot wound and learned that two more had been transported to a hospital in private vehicles.
The tragic event claimed the lives of 33-year-old Keith Stone and a 17-year-old. Edward Butler, affiliated with Danville’s Three Kings of Peace, previously shared with WCIA that he had interacted with the young victim before, and noted that Stone was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire.
Scaife’s arrest is the second to be made in the barbershop murder. 21-year-old Keshawn J. Cotton was arrested in October and court records show he is due in court on July 13 for a pretrial hearing.
Danville Police said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Anyone with further information should contact the Danville Police Department at 217-431-2250 or Vermilion County Crimestoppers at 217-446-8477.