(Peoria, IL) - Monday, January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:04 pm Peoria Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert of 5 rounds fired in the 2100 block of West Lincoln Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers immediately started life-saving measures. AMT and PFD arrived on the scene and took over lifesaving measures. The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Members of the Peoria Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Crime Scene Unit (CSU) responded to the scene and initiated the investigation.
Information regarding the victim, as well as the manner and cause of death, will be released by the Peoria County Coroner.
Peoria Police are currently investigating this case.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Miller at (309) 494- 8397, Tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.
UPDATE 1/16/24 During the course of this investigation, it was learned that two individuals came to Peoria to meet someone about a Facebook Marketplace vehicle transaction.
Upon arrival at the meetup location, the two individuals were directed to a nearby alley to view the purported vehicle.
The investigation has determined that this was an attempted robbery setup and there was no intention to sell a vehicle. Once in the alley, several armed suspects attempted to rob these two individuals. A struggle ensued and shots were fired by the robbery suspects and by one of the individuals who was being robbed.
One of the robbery suspects was struck by gunfire and was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The robbery victim, who fired a weapon, was a legal gun owner with a license to carry a firearm from another state. This individual was released from police custody without charge.
This case is still under investigation and will be reviewed by the Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office.
The Peoria Police Department would like to remind the public to remain vigilant during Marketplace type transactions. Use good judgment when it comes to selecting meetup locations that are highly visible and preferably under video surveillance. The parking lot and lobby of the police department are also available to conduct such transactions.
If you have any information regarding any violent crimes, please contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.
UPDATE 1/24/24
During the course of this investigation, Detectives identified 27-year-old Sontarrius D. Williams as a suspect in this case.
On January 24, 2024, at approximately 2:55 p.m. Williams entered the Peoria Police Department for interviewing purposes and was subsequently arrested for Armed Robbery.
Williams was transported to the Peoria County Jail.
If you have any information regarding any violent crimes, please contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.
UPDATE (1/26/24)
On Thursday, January 25, 2024, at approximately 12:45 p.m. members of the Peoria Police Department’s Special Investigations Division (SID) while conducting a separate investigation located 18-year-old Jaylyn J. Branscumb, an Armed Robbery suspect in the 2800 block of W. Humbolt.
Branscumb was detained and transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviewing purposes and subsequently arrested for Armed Robbery.
He was transported the Peoria County Jail.
If you have any information regarding any violent crimes, please contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.
UPDATE (2/23/24)
Peoria Police Detectives were able to identify 18-year-old Keshawn Williams as a suspect in this case.
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m. officers located Williams and took him into custody without incident.
Williams was transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviewing purposes and subsequently arrested for Attempted Armed Robbery.
He was transported to the Peoria County Jail.
This incident remains under investigation.
If you have any information regarding any violent crimes, please contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521, tip411 (anonymously), or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at (309) 673-9000.
**All suspects and arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. **