Springfield Police Investigating Fatal Shooting of 22-Year-Old Jalesseazay Posey
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 22-year-old Jalesseazay Posey early Thursday morning, leaving a neighborhood in shock and sparking an urgent plea for answers.
According to the Springfield Police Department, officers were dispatched around 3:10 a.m. on September 25, 2025, to the 1400 block of Delta Road, not far from the Southern Village Shopping Center, after reports of gunfire erupted in the area.
When officers arrived, they discovered Posey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside a residence. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders and paramedics at the scene, Posey was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office later confirmed her identity and will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Ongoing Investigation
Detectives spent much of the morning canvassing the area, collecting shell casings, and speaking with potential witnesses. Several nearby residents reported hearing a burst of gunfire followed by the sound of a vehicle speeding away. Police have not yet released details about possible suspects, a motive, or whether Posey was specifically targeted.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses at the shopping center, hoping it will provide critical leads in the case.
Community Shock
The death of Posey, a young woman described by friends on social media as “sweet, funny, and full of life,” has rattled the Springfield community. Many gathered throughout Thursday afternoon to light candles and leave flowers at the location where she was found.
“Another young life taken too soon,” one neighbor said. “It’s heartbreaking to think her family woke up this morning to this tragedy.”
Call for Justice
Police Chief Ken Scarborough addressed the media later in the day, urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We are committed to finding out who is responsible for this senseless act of violence,” Scarborough said. “But we need the community’s help. If you know something, say something. Jalesseazay Posey deserves justice.”
Crime Stoppers Involvement
Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties has announced a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling (217) 788-8427 or through their website.
A Growing Concern
Posey’s death marks yet another violent incident in Springfield, a city that has faced a rise in shootings over the past year. Community leaders are once again calling for stronger intervention programs aimed at reducing gun violence and providing more support for at-risk youth.
What’s Next
As the investigation continues, police have increased patrols in the Delta Road and Southern Village Shopping Center area to reassure residents and deter further violence. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when more details might be released but confirmed the case remains an active homicide investigation.
For now, friends, family, and community members are left grieving the sudden and devastating loss of Jalesseazay Posey, a 22-year-old whose life was cut short in the early hours of a Springfield morning.
