Corey C. Ayers

A Granite City man was fatally shot in the 2300 block of Edwards Street. A Madison man has been charged in connection with the killing of Corey C. Ayers, 48, of Granite City, authorities said. Sean L. Bennett, 44, of the 1600 block of Wayne Lanter Avenue in Madison, is facing three counts of first-degree murder, plus one count each of armed robbery, use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm, court documents show. Granite City police responded to a reported shooting about 8:40 p.m. They found Ayers wounded. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead a short time later, police said.