Deadly Early Morning Shooting in Peoria Leaves One Dead, Another Injured
PEORIA, IL — A violent and tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday morning, leaving one young man dead and another hospitalized after a shooting and subsequent car crash on MacArthur Highway, according to Peoria police and the Peoria County Coroner’s Office.
The chaos began just before 3:00 a.m., when emergency responders were called to the area of MacArthur Highway between West Johnson and West McBean Streets, adjacent to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, for what was initially believed to be a car accident. Upon arrival, authorities quickly discovered that the situation was far more serious.
One Dead at the Scene
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood confirmed that a 20-year-old man was found deceased in the backseat of the crashed vehicle, which had come to rest on the sidewalk and grassy area of the park after slamming into a tree. The man had sustained at least one gunshot wound prior to the crash, and it is believed that he died as a result of his injuries.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the victim, pending notification of next of kin.
Another Victim Hospitalized
In a related development, Peoria Police Department spokesperson Semone Roth reported that a 19-year-old man later arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and he is currently being treated. Police have not released details about his connection to the deceased victim, though both individuals are believed to be linked to the same incident.
Heavy Police Presence and Active Investigation
Residents in the area awoke to the sound of sirens, and shortly afterward, more than a dozen police units converged on the scene to secure the area and begin their investigation. Evidence markers — small yellow cones — were placed throughout the street and nearby park grounds, marking the locations of bullet casings and other items believed to be related to the shooting.
Witnesses on the scene reported hearing additional gunfire around 4:30 a.m., roughly an hour and a half after the initial incident. Whether those shots were related to the investigation or a separate occurrence is still under review.
Road Closures and Public Safety Concerns
Due to the ongoing investigation, MacArthur Highway was temporarily closed to traffic for several hours as crime scene investigators combed the area. The road has since reopened, but the area remains under heightened scrutiny as detectives work to piece together the timeline of events.
The Peoria Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation and is expected to conduct interviews with witnesses and nearby residents, review surveillance footage, and analyze physical evidence collected from the scene.
Community Reaction and Call for Justice
The incident marks yet another in a troubling trend of gun violence involving young people in Peoria. Community members expressed grief and frustration on social media and in local forums, calling for greater efforts to curb violence and provide support for at-risk youth.
“This kind of thing keeps happening, and we’re tired,” said a local resident who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s always someone’s son, someone’s friend. When will it end?”
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not confirmed whether they have identified any suspects. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Peoria Police at (309) 673-4521 or submit tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers at (309) 673-9000.
The Peoria County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy on the deceased victim to determine the exact cause of death.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.