A Holts Summit man charged with shooting a woman in November at County Park - and also charged with a robbery that occurred before he was taken into custody - has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for pleading guilty in both cases.
Jerry Dean Gill, 30, was captured when he came out of the woods in the 4900 block of Loesch Road. Authorities said he had a loaded shotgun and several knives on him when he was arrested.
Gill pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree tampering, first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action.
While talking with investigators after his arrest, Gill admitted to stealing a four-wheeler from a residence in the 1800 block of Terrace Drive, as well as another utility vehicle from a residence in the 1500 block of Terrace Drive and abandoning it, according to a Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement. Authorities were able to recover the vehicle based on information Gill told them on its whereabouts.
Gill also admitted to breaking into a home in the 1700 block of Route D and taking clothing.
Authorities had been looking for Gill after he shot a woman in County Park on the afternoon of Nov. 21.
The victim told investigators Gill was a former boyfriend who had held her captive in his car. Gill and the victim reportedly exited the vehicle at the park and engaged in a shouting match, then Gill shot the woman once in the right forearm.
Witnesses told authorities Gill threatened to kill the woman and fired his weapon a second time at her. That shot missed, and Gill fled the scene.
During his interview with investigators, Gill admitted to shooting the woman and said they were in a fight and he slammed her head into the side of the car, thinking he had broken her nose.