Quincy — Shane McDermott, 56, a familiar face in the Quincy business community, was found shot and later died at Blessing Hospital Wednesday evening after officers responded to a reported break‑in at the old LaGondola building at 8th and State. McDermott’s death has left neighbors and friends grappling with shock and sorrow over a sudden turn of events in a place many walk by without a second thought.
Police say they got a report of a burglary just before 6:30 p.m. at the largely vacant building downtown. Within minutes, officers from the Quincy Police Department and the Special Investigations Unit were inside. They discovered McDermott unresponsive and apparently shot. First responders from Adams County EMS and the Quincy Fire Department worked alongside officers to try to save him before he was taken to Blessing Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators combed the scene and recovered a handgun along with other physical evidence as they began piecing together what happened inside the quiet, hollowed‑out structure. Authorities have been careful to stress there’s no known ongoing danger to the broader Quincy community, even as detectives continue their work. Police are urging anyone with video footage or information to come forward to help clarify the sequence of events.
McDermott was well known locally as the owner of McDermott Enterprises LLC and a long‑time resident of the city. People who knew him described someone rooted in community, a person whose sudden loss is puzzling and painful for many. Friends and acquaintances are now sharing memories of gatherings, conversations, and moments marked by his presence.
In a community still processing the news, many reflect on how quickly life can change. A place as familiar as an old building on a familiar corner became the scene of tragedy in an instant. Conversations among neighbors carry a mix of grief, confusion, and a shared desire for answers about what really took place that night.
Police have said the investigation remains active and are asking anyone with potentially useful information to reach out as the inquiry continues. There’s a sense among locals that this is not just a case file — it’s a story about a neighbor too soon gone, and the ripple effects are being felt across Quincy.
For McDermott’s family and those close to him, the weeks ahead will be about remembering a life of connection and caring, and hoping that the truth of his final moments becomes clearer with every passing day.
