Death At The DQ

"CREVE COEUR, IL — Police have released the identities of the man and woman who died Thursday night in a murder-suicide, which started at the Dairy Queen.

"Bernell B. Alexander, 48, of 1505 N. Peoria Ave., Peoria, shot his ex-wife, Suzann K. Alexander, 47, of 406 Joliet Rd., Marquette Heights, as she was working about 9 p.m. Thursday at the Dairy Queen, 624 S. Main St., police said.

"Bernell Alexander then fled to Peoria where he turned the gun on himself about 15 minutes later while sitting in his truck at Western Avenue and Ann Street.

"Creve Coeur Police Chief Mike Button says that Bernell Alexander came to the drive-thru window and began arguing with Suzann Alexander. She asked him to leave, but he entered the back door of the eatery and pinned her on the ground. He then punched her several times, got on top of her and then pulled out a gun and fired, the police chief said.

"The assistant manager of the store tried to pull Bernell Alexander off of his ex-wife, but fled with other employees after seeing the weapon.

"Bernell Alexander then left out the back door, got into his truck, and drove to South Peoria. A customer at Dairy Queen followed him and was getting information when a Peoria police officer attempted to pull Bernell Alexander over after noticing the motorist driving erratically. Bernell Alexander tried to evade the officer, and when the customer tried to block him in with his car, the ex-husband placed the gun to his head and shot himself, Button said. The truck veered out of control and struck a tree.

"Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said two people witnessed Bernell Alexander kill himself. An autopsy is scheduled for later Friday. Suzann Alexander’s autopsy is also scheduled for Friday."

From Galesburg.com...