FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney
Thursday, August 22, 2024
DARON L. WOODS, 49-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER
Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Daron L. Woods, age 49, of Murphysboro, Illinois, was charged by Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez, with two counts of First-Degree Murder, related to the death of 29-year-old Maurice Funches on August 21, 2024, in Murphysboro.
Cervantez explained that the Murphysboro Police Department responded to a shooting incident on August 21, 2024, in the 200 block of North 13th Street in Murphysboro. The gunshot victim, Maurice P. Funches, was located at the scene of the incident. Emergency medical personnel arrived but life saving measures were eventually exhausted and Funches was pronounced deceased on scene.
The Murphysboro Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation and identified the suspect as Daron L. Woods, 49 years old from Murphysboro, Illinois. Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez, charged Woods with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Cervantez explained that other charges for Woods may be forthcoming.
The investigation suggests that two individuals were involved in an altercation and that during the altercation the suspect wielded a knife and stabbed Clyde Boozer. A third individual, Maurice Funches, intervened to assist Clyde Boozer and was later shot and killed by the suspect. Boozer was later treated at Carbondale Memorial Hospital for his injuries and released.
A no-bond arrest warrant was issued early this morning through the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office for the arrest of Daron L. Woods. The Murphysboro Police Department along with local and state law enforcement are still attempting to locate Woods. The investigation into the incident is active and ongoing.
The State’s Attorney’s Office is warning the public that Daron L. Woods should be considered armed and dangerous. Upon contact Cervantez is urging the public to immediately notify law enforcement.
Cervantez praised the investigation work of the Murphysboro Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The Illinois State Police assisted.
Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of Daron L. Woods is encouraged to call the Murphysboro Police Department at 618-684-2121.
Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.