Man convicted in Alton shooting death near school

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A southwestern Illinois jury has convicted a 22-year-old man in connection with a shooting death last year near an Alton elementary school.

The Madison County jury deliberated about two hours Thursday before finding Marcus Baldwin of Alton guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Authorities say 19-year-old Dantavier Thompson was shot in the head in July 2012 as he drove past a home and shouted something at men gathered there. The car continued on and crashed into Lovejoy Elementary School playground equipment.

Baldwin’s sentencing was not immediately scheduled.