A fatal stabbing on Macomb’s downtown square started with a verbal altercation, according to Macomb Police Chief Jerel Jones.
Jones said a single weapon was used in the ensuing physical altercation, which happened outside in the 100 block of North Lafayette Street early Sunday morning.
Brandon Whiteman, 21, is charged with first degree murder in the stabbing and is being held on $1 million bond at the McDonough County jail.
The most recent address for Whiteman in the police database is in Bardolph, according to Jones.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, but Jones said neither Whiteman nor the victim were students at Western Illinois University or Spoon River College.
According to Jones, Whiteman and the victim did not know each other prior to the incident.
Asked whether alcohol was a factor, Jones said he could not comment due to the ongoing investigation.
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