John W. Booth

A man was fatally shot in Altonand the man suspected of killing him then died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with police. The victim was John W. Booth, 44, of Granite City, according to police. The suspect was Derek A. Scroggins, 48, of Piasa in Macoupin County. According to police, Scroggins went to the residence in the 600 block of Leonard Street and shot and killed Booth. Both the victim and suspect, as well as a female resident in the home at the time, "were known to each other." Police responded to reports of shots fired inside the home about 12:38 a.m. A perimeter was established when officers learned there were other people in the residence in addition to Scroggins. The Metro East SWAT team was called in. During the standoff, the woman was able to escape, and SWAT officers entered the home, located Booth and brought him out. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. During the standoff, Scroggins fired "multiple shots" toward officers and equipment. At about 8:55 a.m., officers heard a single gunshot from inside the house. Officers entered and found Scroggins "showing no signs of life," and he was pronounced dead by a Madison County Coroner's Office investigator.