Springfield, IL – On April 1, 2025 at 8:44 p.m., Springfield Police were dispatched to the area of 2000 N. Dirksen for a traffic crash involving a gold Chevrolet being driven by Maura A. Sullivan, age 53, and a white Ford being driven by Nicholas J. Kammueller, age 46, As officers were arriving on scene, they heard several rounds of gunfire coming from the area of McDonald’s (2100 N. Dirksen).

Officers ran to the area of the shooting and located Kammueller outside of his vehicle with his hands up, advising that he had shot the male who was laying on the ground and later identified as Jerald P. Fahey, age 51. According to police, Kammueller made an excited utterance, stating that Fahey had attacked him and he “had to return fire.” He further stated the firearm was still inside the vehicle, and officers were able to see it in plain view.

Kammueller was then taken into custody by officers on scene and transported to the Springfield Police Department for an interview. Officers and Springfield Fire Department personnel began treating Fahey, who had multiple injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. According to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon, Fahey was transported by EMS to the emergency room at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, where hospital staff pronounced him deceased at 9:40 p.m.

Another male who witnessed the shooting drove himself to the SPD to provide a statement. Detectives interviewed the witness, who stated that he did not know Fahey, but he was his neighbor. The witness said he was at home when Fahey came to his door, stating that his girlfriend had been in a car crash and requesting a ride to the scene. The witness agreed, and they went to the Sonic area. Upon arrival, the witness learned that Sullivan’s vehicle was totaled and that she had a leg injury.

As the witness spoke with people at the scene, he saw Fahey walking toward McDonald’s, where Kammueller was parked in a white Ford. The witness said he yelled for Fahey not to engage Kammueller, but Fahey ignored him. He then saw Fahey enter the vehicle and appear to batter Kammueller. The witness believed Fahey briefly disengaged before re-entering the vehicle. At that moment, he heard several gunshots and saw Fahey fall to the ground. Fearing for his own safety and knowing police were already present, he did not approach the truck.

The witness was asked about Fahey’s demeanor and stated that Fahey appeared to be high on methamphetamine and angry about what had happened.

Detectives reviewed the video surveillance footage from McDonald’s, which captured the entirety of the shooting. The following is a brief summary of the video:

• The video shows Kammueller parked in the lot with the doors closed.
• Fahey comes into view, wearing a yellow hoodie and black pants.
• As Fahey approaches the vehicle, he pulls up his pants, a common gesture among individuals preparing to fight.
• Kammueller opens the driver’s door but stays inside the vehicle. He appears to look back at Fahey, who pulls his pants up again as he closes the distance.
• Fahey makes entry into the vehicle and appears to grab/strike Kammueller. The scuffle lasts for approximately 4 seconds with Fahey standing and Kammueller seated in the vehicle.
• Fahey drops his hands and takes two steps back from the vehicle. A muzzle flash is clearly visible, and Fahey’s body begins to turn away as if struck by gunfire. As he falls to the ground, at least 3 more muzzle flashes are seen. Fahey is on the ground and not moving.
• Approximately 3 seconds pass, and another muzzle flash is seen while Fahey is on the ground, face down.
• Officers and SFD personnel arrive on scene and begin treating Fahey. Kammueller is taken into custody.

Detectives interviewed Kammueller, who provided the following information under Miranda. He stated that he and some friends had gone to Celtic Mist Pub for about an hour, where he had approximately two mixed drinks and two shots (Jagerbombs). He stated that they went to Northern Lights/Dillon’s Pizza, where they ate and he had about two more mixed drinks and two more Jagerbombs in the span of an hour. Afterward, they went to Tipsy Toad, where he had the same amount of drinks in about 30 minutes.

Kammueller went on to say he was leaving Tipsy Toad and driving northbound on Dirksen when the gold Ford turned in front of him, and he struck the vehicle. He stated he pulled into McDonald’s to wait for police. While waiting, he observed a tow truck arrive and believed the police had been called. A group of people approached his vehicle and said something to the effect of “hey!” and then walked away. This caused him to become fearful for his safety. He pulled his Glock 17 pistol out of the holster and placed it on the passenger seat. A short time later, he received a phone call from his friend, stating he believed the tow truck driver was walking over to speak with him.

Kammueller then saw a male walking toward his car, whom he believed was the tow driver, and opened the driver’s door to speak with him. At that point, Fahey was aggressively approaching his vehicle and said, “I’m going to kill you.” Fahey grabbed Kammueller’s left arm and struck him twice in the head with a closed fist and several times in the arm, while Kammueller was telling him to stop. Kammueller then grabbed the pistol from the passenger seat and fired what he believed were 4-5 rounds at Fahey while still in the vehicle. He saw Fahey fall to the ground and stayed in place until the police arrived.

I asked Kammueller to describe his level of intoxication on a scale of 0-10, and he stated he was approximately a 2-3. He did not believe he was impaired. Officer’s later completed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) on Kammueller, and he showed several signs of impairment. He provided a breath sample and it showed his Breath Alcohol Concentration, which is a measure of alcohol in a person’s breath, at .057. He has since been charged with driving under the influence.

When asked on a scale of 0-10 how hard he believed he was struck, Kammueller stated it was about a 6-7. He further stated that the strikes to his head were “glancing blows” and not direct hits. He denied any injuries and refused medical attention. He did not mention any head injuries or signs of head trauma, such as seeing stars, dizziness, or loss of vision. Kammueller denied shooting at Fahey while he was on the ground and maintained that the entire shooting occurred while Fahey was in close contact with him.

According to records, Kammueller has a valid concealed carry license and FOID card. Detectives report that he violated the Concealed Carry Act by possessing a loaded pistol while intoxicated. According to records, Kammueller has not yet been officially charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office with homicide.