One man dead after bar robbery
Updated: March 19, 2013
Update: 5:27 pm
MATTOON -- A man who was found dead Monday night, spent much of his life giving back to his community. 33-year old Benjamin Newton worked at Toaster's Pub, where he was shot and killed.
But, Newton will be remembered as more than just a friendly bartender. WCIA-3's Anna Carrera has more.
Newton had another full-time job in addition to working at Toaster's. His mom says he spent much of the rest of his time volunteering.
Newton usually worked on Wednesday nights, but was called to fill in for just two hours Monday. Less than a half-hour before his shift was supposed to be done, investigators found him shot to death inside the bar. The coroner says he was shot in the bridge of his nose from close range; maybe just inches away.
For his day job, Newton worked as an insurance agent for Dimond Brothers. He'd worked there about ten years. People who knew him say he was a wonderful and generous man.
In his spare time, his mom says he volunteered around the community, including with the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education in Charleston, where she works. She says he also volunteered with the Knights of Columbus and took part in other community activities.
They are all places where people say he will be greatly missed. At this point, police haven't released a description of the suspect, but continue the investigation.
Original: 8:53 am
MATTOON -- Police are investigating a robbery and death of a man. Authorities responded to Toaster Bar in the 1400-block of Broadway Avenue, Monday, about 7:30 pm, for an unresponsive man.
When crews arrived, they found Benjamin Newton deceased. Police say Newton was a bartender. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine cause of death.
MATTOON -- A man who was found dead Monday night, spent much of his life giving back to his community. 33-year old Benjamin Newton worked at Toaster's Pub, where he was shot and killed.
But, Newton will be remembered as more than just a friendly bartender. WCIA-3's Anna Carrera has more.
Newton had another full-time job in addition to working at Toaster's. His mom says he spent much of the rest of his time volunteering.
Newton usually worked on Wednesday nights, but was called to fill in for just two hours Monday. Less than a half-hour before his shift was supposed to be done, investigators found him shot to death inside the bar. The coroner says he was shot in the bridge of his nose from close range; maybe just inches away.
For his day job, Newton worked as an insurance agent for Dimond Brothers. He'd worked there about ten years. People who knew him say he was a wonderful and generous man.
In his spare time, his mom says he volunteered around the community, including with the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education in Charleston, where she works. She says he also volunteered with the Knights of Columbus and took part in other community activities.
They are all places where people say he will be greatly missed. At this point, police haven't released a description of the suspect, but continue the investigation.
Original: 8:53 am
MATTOON -- Police are investigating a robbery and death of a man. Authorities responded to Toaster Bar in the 1400-block of Broadway Avenue, Monday, about 7:30 pm, for an unresponsive man.
When crews arrived, they found Benjamin Newton deceased. Police say Newton was a bartender. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine cause of death.
Comments
Can you post the picture of the man of interest in this case? It was not on the TV broadcast long enough to see the profile of the man of interest it may be someone people know and with the hoodie over his head it was hard to figure out who it may be!
Joan M.
March 20, 2013 at 6:17 am
Sarah B.
March 19, 2013 at 10:05 am
