Deadly shooting in Mattoon
Updated: January 7, 2013
MATTOON -- We're learning more about the woman who helped save a wife. We told you Friday that Gerald Banta held his estranged wife hostage for three hours and beat her. Police say he shot himself in the head when another woman showed up to their house.
Police say that the woman was Banta's step-sister and that she was aware of the couple's problems. They say Banta talked to her sometime that morning and she headed to their home because of the conversation.
Updated 1-4-13 5:44 pm
MATTOON -- Police are investigating a domestic dispute that turned deadly.
Police were called to the 900 block of North 12th street today.
Police say an estranged husband was waiting for his wife around six this morning. Investigators say when she got home from work, he beat her up. The attack continued on and off for about three hours, holding her hostage during the ordeal.
Police say another woman showed up to the house and that's when 34-year-old Gerald Banta shot himself. His estranged wife was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police say she is going to be ok.
Neighbors on the block say their shocked by the whole incident and that it is usually pretty quiet. Neighbors say the couple had just moved in about a week ago so know one knew anything about them.
Original post 1-4-13 3:04 pm
MATTOON -- Investigators are on the scene of a deadly shooting.
Police were called to the 900 block of North 12th street around 9:30 this morning.
They received reports of a domestic incident between an estranged husband and wife.
The husband was found dead. Names are not being released at this time.


