Published: July 07, 2009 12:36 am      

Business owner shot to death

DANVILLE — A local business owner was shot and killed outside his car washing and polishing shop Monday morning.

Bennie Moten, 45, was pronounced dead at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center following the shooting. A worker at Moten’s business, JB Professional Detailing Shop, received minor injuries from a gunshot in the morning incident.

City detectives and county investigators responded to an original call of shots fired at the scene. Police tape blocked off the street and entrance in front of Moten’s business at 729 Cleveland St.

Both men were taken to Provena United Samaritans Medical Center — Moten by ambulance and the other man by car, according to city police Deputy Director Doug Miller. The shop worker was taken from the 700 block of East Main Street where he fled following the shooting.

Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson confirmed at noon Monday that a 45-year-old man was pronounced dead in the hospital emergency room just minutes after 10 a.m. as a result of a shooting. The name was released late Monday afternoon following the notification of the next of kin.

Johnson indicated Moten was shot several times.

The detailing shop worker was treated and released from Provena by early afternoon.

An autopsy was conducted on the shooting victim early Monday afternoon.

Miller said police are looking for more than individual in connection with the case. It was too early in the investigation to elaborate on details of what led up to the shooting and no information could be released on potential suspects in the shooting.

No one was in police custody in connection with the homicide as of Monday afternoon.

Moten was found in the street when police arrived on the scene, Miller said. He said police believe other people witnessed the shooting.

This is the second shooting in three days for Danville. A man was shot in the leg just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of North Gilbert Street.

This is the third homicide in Danville this year following one killing just minutes into the new year along Bryan Avenue and a second shooting in Danville Apartments in February.

FYI

Witnesses or anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call Danville police detectives at 431-2245.