HAMILTON COUNTY — A 22-year-old Dale man is scheduled to appear in Hamilton County Court today on charges he murdered a 45-year-old Salem man Friday.

Zachery J. Shock (Source: WCSO)
Zachery J. Shock
(Source: WCSO)

Zachery J. Shock is charged with two counts First Degree Murder and one count Class X aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of James L. Berkel — reported to be his mother’s boyfriend — in her McLeansboro home just after midnight Friday.

Shock was taken into custody a few hours later in Wayne County and was transported to the White County Jail. His bail has been set at $2.5 million.

According to court records, between the ages of 15 and 17, Shock also lived in Salem, at one point in 2011 listing Burkel’s home address on West Rogers.

The investigation is being handled by Illinois State Police with assistance from Hamilton County Sheriff Department, McLeansboro City Police, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.