On Tuesday, police released the names of two women who were arrested following a disturbance complaint Monday at the Shell gas station on the corner of Main and Prospect streets. One woman was arrested after discharging a firearm.
Kahena N. Austin, 35, of County Club Hills, was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm, endangering the life of a child and aggravated battery.
A second woman, Dajanae L. Lindsey, 25, Kewanee, was arrested for aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and a Henry County warrant for failure to appear for driving on a suspended license.
According to a news release from the Kewanee Police Department, officers were dispatched to Johnson Oil-Shell gas station at 11:50 a.m. Monday for a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, officers observed Austin and Lindsey involved in a physical altercation.
The officers separated the two females but during the incident, Austin reportedly got a firearm from a vehicle and discharged a single round. She was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
Officers recovered the firearm and collected additional evidence. There were no injuries as a result of the gunfire.
Both women were transported to the Henry County Jail.
More information was released by police Tuesday morning. A news release stated that while the incident was occurring, “Austin returned to her vehicle and retrieved a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. One round was discharged as she was retrieving the firearm, while her one-year-old daughter was inside the vehicle. Austin then immediately placed the firearm back inside the vehicle.”
It was later confirmed that Austin possesses a valid concealed carry permit. The incident was captured on the responding officer’s squad car camera.
On April 22, 2025, the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against Austin:
Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Class 1 Felony
Endangering the Life or Health of a Child – Class 3 Felony
Reckless Discharge of a Firearm – Class 4 Felony
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Class 4 Felony
Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Class A Misdemeanor
Austin is scheduled to appear in court today for a detention hearing. A preliminary hearing date will also be set.
The Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office did not seek criminal charges against Lindsey.
