At approximately 1:11 p.m., a Lee County deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle that was traveling on Chicago Road near German Road. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway and stopped. The driver was ordered out of the vehicle, and it was observed that he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was identified as 38-year-old Matthew L. Steele of Compton. An investigation was conducted, and Steele was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
Witnesses at the scene were spoken to, and it was relayed that Matthew Steele had struck one individual in the altercation and pushed a second individual, who was a family member of Steele, to the ground. Matthew Steele subsequently left the property for a short period of time and then returned with a firearm. At this point, an individual who had been the focus of Steele’s anger got into their own vehicle and attempted to leave the property. As the victim was leaving, Steele reportedly fired several shots at the victim while they were attempting to drive away. The victim was not struck by the gunfire, and any injuries during the altercation were reported to be minor. A firearm was located at the scene along with several spent shell casings.
As a result of the investigation, Matthew Steele was charged with the following offenses:
Attempted First Degree Murder, a Class X Felony
Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony
Possession of a Firearm Without a Requisite FOID Card – Ineligible, a Class 3 Felony
Aggravated Assault – Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 4 Felony
Domestic Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor
Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Class A Misdemeanor
In accordance with the Illinois SAFE-T Act, the Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny the pretrial release of Matthew Steele. After a hearing, Matthew Steele was ordered to be detained in the Lee County Jail.
All charges are merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
