Kankakee County Sheriff’s Police have announced an arrest in last Monday's shooting death of 32-year-old Tawayne Sharp.

27-year-old Corey Gardner of Kankakee was arrested early Saturday morning when he turned himself into the sheriff’s department late Friday night. Ken McCabe, chief deputy of the Sheriff's Department said Gardner appeared before a Kankakee County Circuit Court judge Saturday morning and was charged with first-degree murder. 

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jamie Boyd said said the investigation continues.

A motive for the shooting hasn't been revealed. Sharp was found shot to death early Monday in his car west of Kankakee at the intersection of 4500W and 2000S roads in Limestone Township.

Police spent much of Friday searching for Gardner. Police said the search was called off when numerous officers, three dog units and a helicopter crew were unsuccessful in locating Gardner.

The Daily-Journal reported Manteno police attempted to stop Gardner’s vehicle just after midnight Friday morning, but he fled town, turned off his car lights and crashed off 2250W Road into a branch of Rock Creek about four miles west of the village.

He fled on foot into the early morning hours. Two passengers in Gardner’s vehicle were apprehended at the scene — Kimberly L. Nowlan-McCue, 33, and Bruce Skalon, 28, both of rural Kankakee. McCabe said the pair would be charged with obstructing and resisting police and possibly harboring a fugitive.



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