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Bridgeport man formally charged with First Degree Murder

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 1:26 PM

By Steve Anderson

The Lawrence County States Attorney's Office has now charged 28-year-old Elijah W.D. Hooker with First Degree Murder in connection with the shooting death of his wife last week.

The Bridgeport man was arrested by Illinois State Police (ISP) at the scene on Thursday, January 29th after 37-year-old Omni Hooker was discovered fatally shot in their residence located in the 700 block of Washington Street in Bridgeport.

Elijah Hooker was originally charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. On Monday, February 2nd, ISP special agents presented their findings in the investigation of the incident to Lawrence County States Attorney Brady Waldrop and the charge of First- Degree Murder, a Class M Illinois Felony, was formally entered.

Hooker is expected to be back in court on Wednesday, February 19th. He remains incarcerated on the offenses in the Lawrence County Jail. No other information is being released.

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