The Illinois State Police issued a press release shortly after noon Saturday, Aug. 13, related to the arrest of two Paris men for murder and homicide.

According to the release, an Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) death investigation resulted in the arrest of Preston Wallace, a 20-year-old male of Paris, for first degree murder, and Gabriel Wallace, a 38-year-old male of Paris, for a Class 3 felony aggravated battery charge and a class 4 felony mob action.

The ISP added Gabriel Wallace was also arrested on two Class X felony warrants for home invasion that are not related to the murder case. 

The press release states at approximately 8:58 p.m. Aug. 6 the Paris Police Department (PPD) responded to a call of a fight in the street in front of a residence in the 700 block of North Central Street. The victim, 69-year-old Gary L. White, 69, Paris, was transported Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital and later transferred to Regional Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind. White succumbed to his injuries Aug. 8.

The ISP confirms an arrest warrant for Preston Wallace was issued Aug. 12 by the Edgar County State’s Attorney’s office, and he was taken into custody at 4:41 p.m. the same day by officers from the Paris Police Department. He is being held at the Edgar County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Paris officers also took Gabriel Wallace into custody at 3 p.m. Aug. 12 on already existing outstanding warrants and charged with the additional crimes alleged in this case. Gabriel Wallace is being held in the Edgar County Jail awaiting a bond hearing Monday, Aug. 15.