DeKalb man charged with first degree murder in fatal shooting over alleged marijuana deal

DeKALB – A DeKalb man has been charged with first degree murder stemming from a Sunday afternoon marijuana deal that went bad near University Village apartments, according to court records.

Romel A. Hollingsworth Jr., 20, of the 800 block of Russell Road in DeKalb, was charged with first degree murder in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Carl Austin, according to DeKalb County court records. Records allege the shooting came after a drug deal between the two involving marijuana.

If convicted, Hollingsworth could face a life sentence in jail.

“There’s no threat to the community, it was an isolated incident between the victim and offender,” said DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd Monday. “The motive is unknown at this time.”

Austin, of the 900 block of Hillcrest Drive, DeKalb, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, records show. He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Sunday. Police found 18 shell casings from a .40-caliber gun on the scene, records show.

Hollingsworth appeared before Circuit Court Judge Joseph Pedersen Monday for a bond hearing, and was represented by attorney Robert Carlson of the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office. Carlson was not immediately available for comment. Prosecutor Suzanne Collins said the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny bail. That request will be heard by Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick at a 1:30 p.m. hearing Friday at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore.

Hollingsworth will remain in custody at the DeKalb County Jail until the Wednesday hearing.

The shooting was reported around 1:40 p.m. Sunday near the entrance to an apartment building in the 800 block of Russell Road, records show. DeKalb police issued a community-wide police alert around 2 p.m. Sunday asking residents to avoid the area.

Police found Austin on the ground near the entrance of University Village apartments, records show.

A witness told police they heard multiple gunshots and then saw the alleged shooter fire multiple rounds into Austin’s body as he lay on the ground in the parking lot, records show.

Court records assert Hollingsworth confessed his involvement in the shooting to police.

A woman told police that Hollingsworth had gone to buy marijuana from a man, and alleged the man pulled a gun on Hollingsworth, records show. The woman reportedly told police she saw Hollingsworth return to his apartment and then go back downstairs. She then heard multiple gunshots and alleged Hollingsworth returned upstairs with a gun, records show.

Hollingsworth allegedly told police during an interview after he was arrested Sunday that during an attempted cannabis purchase, the seller displayed a firearm to him. He then reportedly told police he later met the man – later identified as Austin – and shot him numerous times, records show.

During a warrant search of Hollingsworth’s apartment, police found a .40-caliber Glock 22 that was reported stolen, according to court records. Police arrested Hollingsworth at his apartment Sunday after witnesses described him to police. The DeKalb County Special Operations Team assisted, according to a news release from the DeKalb Police Department.

Austin was declared dead from multiple gunshot wounds, Byrd said.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s always unfortunate with someone losing their life no matter what the circumstances are,” Byrd said. “There really isn’t a silver lining in these situations. Law enforcement did their job, DeKalb police were able to make a swift arrest in bringing the offender into custody, and hopefully justice will follow.”

This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available. This story was updated at 11:25 a.m. March 20, 2022 with additional information on charges. An additional update came at 1:40 p.m. after a DeKalb County court hearing.