Jefferson County Sheriff releases new details on Holmes shooting
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Investigation into incident has concluded
By TRAVIS MORSE
Jeff Bullard
MOUNT VERNON — Authorities have completed their investigation into the death of carjacking suspect Carrion Holmes on Jan. 8, concluding that the man allegedly shot and killed himself accidentally with a deputy’s handgun during a struggle for the weapon.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard posted a video statement on social media Tuesday, providing new details on the incident. He said that the Holmes investigation has officially finished. That included the criminal investigation by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations, an administrative investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Coroner and a final review of the facts by Jefferson County State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun.
“It is the finding of the State’s Attorney, Illinois State Police, Jefferson County Coroner and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office that Carrion Holmes died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after resisting Deputy (Keith) Finstad’s efforts to take him into custody and being disarmed while trying to do so. Further, it is the finding that Deputy Finstad’s actions during this terrible event were within the lawful scope of his employment and justified.”
According to Sentinel archives, the initial report of this incident came at 6:03 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, when JCSO Deputy Finstad responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the area of Richview Road, just east of North Hart Lane, in Jefferson County. The deputy’s body camera did record the interaction.
“He (the deputy) made contact with the vehicle that was reported stolen off in a ditch on Richview Road, near the intersection of Grand Road, as well as Mr. Holmes who was standing in the roadway,” Bullard said.
The deputy reportedly tried to take Holmes, 20, into custody, first using verbal commands with his handgun drawn. When Holmes allegedly didn’t comply and didn’t appear to have anything in his hands, the deputy switched from his gun to his taser and continued to give verbal commands to try to gain compliance, Bullard said.
At some point, Holmes allegedly tried to flee on foot to the north. Deputy Finstad deployed his taser but it was ineffective. Holmes allegedly continued to flee, the deputy pursued on foot, and soon the deputy tackled Holmes and they fell onto the ice and snow covered ground in a ditch just off the roadway, Bullard said.
The deputy tried to gain control of Holmes. During the struggle, Holmes was allegedly able to get the deputy’s duty weapon, or gun, from its holster, Bullard said. The two then started to struggle for control of the weapon. Toward the end of the struggle, Holmes was allegedly still in possession of the deputy’s handgun. The gun was allegedly fired three times and the final round struck Holmes upon the left side of his head while the muzzle was very close, Bullard said.
After this, Deputy Finstad went to his squad car to radio for backup and medical assistance. Backup arrived a short time later and deputies attempted first aid, but to no avail.
According to Bullard, the JCSO will not be publishing the body camera footage of this event, at the request of a family member of Holmes made via social media. The ISP has the same footage and has its own policies governing whether or not the footage will be published, Bullard said.
“Deputy Finstad has returned to work and we are thankful (that) he made it through this horrific event without being seriously harmed,” Bullard said. “All loss of life is tragic and we continue to offer our condolences to Mr Holmes’ family. May our Heavenly Father continue to provide comfort and peace to all who need it.”
Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse said Tuesday that he concurs with the findings of the investigation.
Also, in March, State’s Attorney Featherstun submitted a declination of charges memo to the ISP, indicating that Deputy Finstad’s conduct was “lawful and justified.”
“I have reviewed all of the available facts and circumstances concerning the officer involved shooting which resulted in Carrion Holmes’ death on Jan. 8, 2025,” Featherstun wrote in the memo. “It is my conclusion (that) the discharge of Deputy Keith Finstad’s firearm was not the result of any criminal act on the part of Deputy Finstad.”
For more information on this case, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
