LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Jordan L. Kollman and Jesse J. Kollman made their first appearance before Edgar County Judge Mark Isaf for multiple felony charges on Tuesday, April 14.
Jesse Kollman, represented by public defender Lupita Thompson, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and a hate crime involving mob action, while Jordan Kollman, represented by public defender Nathanael Harsy, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and a hate crime involving mob action.
The charges stem from an incident involving multiple firearms at White Oaks Park in the late hours of Friday, April 3.
According to the Paris Police Department, multiple 911 calls reported three white males, later identified as Jordan Kollman, Jesse Kollman and Jayden A. Reynolds, attacked and/or were attempting to attack three black males, identified as Jaleel Jones, Tajon King and Dwayne Williams, at the park while they were fishing.
“Immediately upon arrival, the defendants began antagonizing the victims. Jesse Kollman and Jordan Kollman repeatedly used racial slurs. The defendants surrounded Jaleel Jones, then moved to Tajon King, continuing the verbal harassment. The victims attempted to deescalate, stating they would leave to avoid conflict,” Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren McQueen described in the state’s factual basis to the court.
During the incident, Jordan Kollman allegedly retrieved a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun from a white truck, fired a shot into the air, then reloaded, pointed the weapon at King and threatened to “blow their heads off.” Prosecutors allege that Jesse Kollman played an active role in escalating the situation.
“Jesse Kollman directed Jordan to ‘bring that over here’ while advancing on Jaleel Jones and continuing to escalate the confrontation with racial slurs and threats,” McQueen said.
Additional police reports allege that King retrieved a legally owned 9mm handgun and fired, striking Jordan Kollman three times. Kollman was treated at Horizon Health for the shots before being airlifted to Methodist Hospital for surgery.
According to court records, evidence recovered from Kollman’s surgery and the crime scene included “multiple spent 12-gauge Cheddite shotgun shells matching the exact make, model and color of ammunition Jayden A. Reynolds purchased at Rural King in Paris at 7:39 p.m. on April 3, 2026, three 9mm casings consistent with Tajon King’s handgun and a red substance in a sporadic pattern, later confirmed as blood.”
During the brothers' first appearance on Tuesday, McQueen said Jesse Kollman was identified as the driver of a white 2008 Dodge pickup truck that was used to chase/intimidate the victims, while Jordan Kollman fired a shotgun from the vehicle.
Investigators also determined that the shotgun had been purchased by Jayden Reynolds in Effingham and later traded to the Kollman brothers. Reynolds allegedly purchased ammunition on the same day as the incident.
Prosecutors noted that both Kollman brothers have prior criminal histories in Effingham and Douglas counties. Court records indicate Jordan Kollman has felony convictions, including a 2017 offense and a previous unlawful possession of a weapon charge in 2020.
The State filed a motion to detain both men, arguing that the Kollman brothers pose a threat to the community.
“What we have in this situation are two brothers who have decided that they are going to come into our county and create a dangerous space for not only our community but for individuals who come to visit and use our resources,” McQueen stated in the state’s proffer. “At no time should anyone be afraid to simply go fishing, especially since we are a rural county that prides itself on welcoming visitors for such activities. Not only did Jordan Kollman decide to discharge a shotgun in the vicinity of three gentlemen who were not causing any trouble, but he further decided to point that shotgun at the back of Tajon King’s head and threaten to “blow his head off”. Jesse Kollman also decided to aid Jordan in his murder attempt and told Jordan to bring the shotgun over to where Jaleel Jones was standing to potentially fire at Mr. Jones. During the entire exchange, the Kollman boys made it very clear that this was a race-driven dispute to them. They did not like that three black males were in Edgar County.”
Defense counsel Thompson objected on behalf of Jesse Kollman and offered conditions including GPS monitoring, a curfew, abstaining from alcohol and a no-contact order. No conditions, arguments or proposals were made by Harsy in relation to Jordan Kollman.
Judge Isaf ruled that the State had presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate that no conditions could mitigate the threat posed, granting the motion to detain for both Jordan and Jesse Kollman. They remain in custody.
Preliminary hearings for both Jesse and Jordan Kollman are scheduled for April 24, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Reynolds is currently not in custody. He has been charged with mob action in connection with the incident. His initial court appearance is scheduled for April 20 at 1:30 p.m.
In a statement to The Prairie Press, State’s Attorney Philip Dobelstein gave insight into the prosecution’s stance on this crime.
“These allegations are not something we stand for in Edgar County, and these defendants do not represent Edgar County. It is my intent to prosecute this matter in accordance with the law,” he wrote.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Paris Police Department.
