Two unrelated men named Austin Mullins have been convicted in separate murder cases in different states. Austin L. Mullins of Alton, Illinois, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in January 2026 for fatally shooting Jacob “Jake” Wall at a 2023 house party in Wood River, Illinois, and was sentenced to 32 years in prison. A different Austin Mullins, roughly six years older and from West Virginia, was convicted of second-degree murder in January 2025 for his role in the 2022 killing of Henry Silver in Marion County, a case tied to the Pagan Motorcycle Club, and was sentenced to 40 years. If you are trying to figure out which case you are reading about, the state, the victim’s name, and the defendant’s age are the quickest tells.
The Illinois Case: Jacob Wall’s Killing in Wood River
At about 4:09 a.m. on July 24, 2023, Wood River police were called to a house party in the 800 block of Tennyson Street.1Belleville News-Democrat. Metro East Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Party Shooting Jacob “Jake” Alan Wall, 23, was found with gunshot wounds and was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital, where he died at 5:45 a.m.2Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home. Jacob “Jake” Alan Wall Obituary The Wood River Police Chief said the shooting was not random and that everyone present had been invited.3Advantage News. One Dead in Wood River Shooting
Prosecutors said an argument broke out between Wall and Austin L. Mullins, then 19. Mullins fired four shots into the ceiling, and when Wall told him to stop, Mullins shot Wall four times. He then fled and changed clothes at his girlfriend’s house.4Fox 2 Now. Alton Man Sentenced for Killing Acquaintance at House Party A Madison County grand jury indicted him in August 2023 on two counts of first-degree murder.5The Telegraph. Alton Man Indicted in Wood River Murder
The Guilty Plea
On January 27, 2026, Mullins pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to an amended count of first-degree murder. The charge was amended from a shooting to “bludgeoned” to avoid gun-sentencing enhancements, and a second murder count was dismissed. The plea carried a 40-year sentencing cap.6The Telegraph. Austin Mullins Pleads Guilty to Murder of Jacob Wall7First Alert 4. Metro East Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Party Shooting
The 32-Year Sentence
At sentencing in June 2026, Circuit Judge Kyle Napp heard evidence that Mullins had tried to cover up the crime. Assistant State’s Attorneys Morgan Hudson and Lauren Maricle played a jailhouse call in which Mullins allegedly told his girlfriend to hide and dispose of the murder weapon. Wood River Detective Sgt. Brent Rombach testified the weapon was never recovered and that Mullins gave investigators conflicting information about its location. Rombach also testified Mullins had been a suspect in two earlier non-fatal shootings of occupied homes in Wood River.8Riverbender.com. Austin Mullins Sentenced to 32 Years in Wood River Killing
Defense attorney David Fahrenkamp asked for 13 to 16 years, citing testimony from clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Rod Hoevet that Mullins had intellectual disabilities that could “overwhelm his capacity” to exercise sound judgment. Judge Napp acknowledged the learning disabilities but said Mullins also had “street smarts” and the ability to manipulate others, telling him: “No matter what the chaos was, you decided to shoot your friend four or five times.”9The Telegraph. Austin Mullins Sentenced in Jacob Wall Murder
Mullins was sentenced to 32 years in state prison. Under Illinois law for first-degree murder, he must serve 100 percent of the sentence, with credit for time already served.10Advantage News. Alton Man Gets 32 Years in Wood River Murder
The West Virginia Case: Henry Silver’s Killing in Marion County
A different Austin Mullins, roughly six years older, was convicted in West Virginia for the shooting death of Henry Silver. Silver was killed on September 9, 2022, in the Carolina area of Marion County, near Fairmont.11WDTV. Two Men Sentenced for Their Role in 2022 Pagan Murder in Marion County Prosecutors alleged that John Wolfe, a Pagan Motorcycle Club member, orchestrated the killing after discovering a relationship between Silver and Wolfe’s girlfriend, then conspired with fellow club members to carry it out.12WDTV. Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Marion County Gang Murder A Marion County grand jury indicted Mullins and four other men in June 2023, each initially charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.13WV News. 5 Charged in Connection With Alleged 2022 Pagan Motorcycle Club Related Slaying in Marion County
The Trial
Mullins went to trial in Marion County in January 2025. He took the stand and admitted killing Silver but claimed self-defense, testifying that he was the sole decision-maker and shooter and that other co-defendants were upstairs and unaware he would fire. His attorney, Kevin Tipton, argued the killing was not premeditated and asked the jury for a lesser offense than first-degree murder.14Yahoo News. Mullins Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
Prosecutors challenged that account. A 13-year-old witness testified that two men arrived in a truck and that Mullins was not alone in the parking lot when the shooting happened. The state also introduced three letters Mullins had written to a co-defendant admitting to the killing. On January 27, 2025, the jury convicted him of second-degree murder and use of a firearm during a felony and acquitted him of conspiracy.14Yahoo News. Mullins Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
The 40-Year Sentence
On March 31, 2025, Judge Matthew Delligatti sentenced Mullins, then 28, to 40 years for second-degree murder, 10 years for use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and 5 years on a recidivist charge reflecting a prior criminal record. Prosecutors asked that the sentences run consecutively, but the judge ordered them to run concurrently, leaving the effective sentence at 40 years.15WAJR. Sentence Handed Down in 2022 Marion County Pagan Motorcycle Club Killing16WDTV. Man Sentenced to Decades in Prison for 2022 Pagan Murder in Marion County
Wolfe, who prosecutors said orchestrated the killing, was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2024 and sentenced in June 2024 to life in prison without parole.12WDTV. Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Marion County Gang Murder
Telling the Two Austin Mullins Apart
The two men share a name but little else. The Illinois Mullins was 19 at the time of the Wood River party shooting, lives in Alton, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Jacob Wall, and is serving 32 years. The West Virginia Mullins was 28 at sentencing, was convicted at trial of second-degree murder for the Marion County killing of Henry Silver alongside members of the Pagan Motorcycle Club, and is serving 40 years. If a report mentions a plea deal, a house party, or Madison County, it is the Illinois case. If it mentions a trial, a motorcycle club, or Marion County, it is the West Virginia case.