JEFFERSON COUNTY — Authorities are investigating a shooting death over the weekend in Mt. Vernon.

At approximately 5:50 Sunday morning, Mt. Vernon police responded to a report of an unresponsive person in the 800 block of South 19th Street at Conger Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found 26-year-old resident Cortez Pickett deceased.

Jefferson County Coroner Eddie Joe Marks says Picket was shot one time and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsy results are still pending and there is no word yet of any arrests made in connection with the shooting.

Officers with the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), a law enforcement mutual aid, were activated last night, with seven officers from around the area responding to Mt. Vernon to help with crowd control for a candlelight vigil.

According to Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Deichman, a crowd had gathered Sunday night at the intersection of 19th and Conger for a candlelight vigil for Pickett. Deichman says a rather large fight broke out during the vigil, which officers had to bring back under control

He says the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and that they are working on a number of leads in the case.

Anyone with information regarding the death investigation, please contact Capt. Bullard at (618) 242-2131.