DECATUR - Bond was set at $1 million each on Thursday for Dorian C. Harris, 32, and Cornelius L. Jones, 33, who were being held in the Macon County Jail for investigation of first-degree murder in the shooting death Wednesday of Benny E. Topps, 54.

An autopsy conducted Thursday at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield determined Topps died of massive organ damage caused by eight gunshot wounds, said Michael E. Day, Macon County coroner. Topps had bullet wounds that pierced his heart and lungs, he said.

Police were called at 10:04 a.m. Wednesday in reference to shots fired and arrived at an alley that runs east and west from the 900 block of North Van Dyke Street to find Topps on the ground outside an auto body shop where he worked. He was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m.

In setting the bond, Associate Judge James Coryell followed the recommendation of prosecutors. He scheduled Harris and Jones, who are East St. Louis residents, to return to court July 31 for arraignment on formal charges that have yet to be filed.

Decatur police Lt. David Dickerson said detectives received information late Wednesday that the shooting could relate to a dispute over money. He declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

During police interviews on Wednesday, Harris alleged that Jones was the shooter, according to a sworn statement filed in circuit court by Decatur detective Frank Hubbard.

Harris admitted to being the driver of a tan, four-door 2000 Cadillac that was observed by witnesses leaving the scene of the shooting, Hubbard said. Harris stated Jones directed him to drive to a location where his "uncle" was, he said.

Harris stated Jones put on a combination dreadlock wig-novelty hat and left the Cadillac in the alley where Topps was found, Hubbard said. Harris stated Jones made contact with Topps, he heard shots and saw Topps fall behind the car, Hubbard said.

Jones then got back into the Cadillac and directed him to "Go!" and then to "go home," Harris told police. Harris stated he began driving back to East St. Louis, but their car was stopped by Illinois State Police just south of Springfield on Interstate 55.

Hubbard said when interviewed, Jones admitted he was in Decatur on Wednesday during the time Topps was shot, that he possessed a firearm and a dreadlock wig but denied shooting anyone.

Decatur police broadcast a description of the getaway car provided by witnesses. About 30 minutes after the shooting, a Sangamon County state's attorney special investigator spotted the vehicle westbound on Interstate 72 near Riverton and alerted state troopers who later stopped the car.

Hubbard said in his statement that state police noted as Jones got out of the passenger seat a live 9 mm cartridge fell out of his lap onto the ground. He said troopers stated they observed in plain view a bag on the floorboard of the car that contained a handgun and the novelty wig; they also observed two spent 9 mm shell casings on the front seat of the car.

Five Decatur Police Department vehicles responded to the state police traffic stop of the Cadillac south of Springfield, bringing witnesses to the shooting to that scene.

At least one witness positively identified Jones as the person seen shooting Topps and at least three witnesses positively identified the Cadillac as the vehicle in which the shooter or shooters fled, Hubbard said.

After a search warrant was obtained for the Cadillac, police found 9 mm and .40-caliber semiautomatic handguns and the novelty wig in the car, Hubbard said. Spent 9 mm shell casings were found in the alley where Topps was shot as well as in the Cadillac, he said.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973.