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A Ghanaian scholar employed at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, Dr. Kofi Akamani, has been fatally shot in Illinois.
The 48-year-old professor sustained fatal injuries in a shooting incident that occurred near Lake Road, situated between Murphysboro and Carbondale, at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Responding officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) arrived at the scene and transported him to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where medical personnel confirmed his death.
Dr. Akamani held a faculty position in SIU Carbondale’s Department of Forestry, where he instructed students in forest recreation and conservation social science, as documented on the university’s official website.
Following a preliminary investigation, JCSO announced that his spouse, 35-year-old Betty Akamani, had been taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses related to her suspected participation in the shooting.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that the full circumstances of the incident remain subject to ongoing investigation and noted that the matter is still in preliminary stages. The Jackson County Ambulance Service, Coroner’s Office, and State’s Attorney’s Office are collaborating in the investigation.
Additional information has not been disclosed at this time.
