EDWARDSVILLE/ALTON – A 19-year-old Alton man has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with a shooting toward an Alton school bus, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Friday, June 12, 2026, in Edwardsville.
Daniel G. Coalan of Alton entered a guilty plea Friday afternoon, June 12, 2026, in Circuit Court, according to Haine. The case stems from the evening of Feb. 26, 2025, when Alton police responded to the 1200 block of Central Avenue after receiving reports of gunfire.
At the scene, an Alton Community Unit School District 11 bus was dropping off students who attend evening classes. No individuals were struck by gunfire, and the bus was not hit.
Haine commended the Alton Police Department for its investigation, as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle, chief of the Violent Crimes Division, and Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Voudrie.
A co-defendant, Jayvon R. Walton, 18, of Wood River, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons.
The state has alleged that Walton was the shooter who fired multiple shots toward a student who fled the bus. Walton and Coalan had been involved in a dispute with the student who fled the bus.
