UPDATED 12:05 P.M. 7/17/22
PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria County Coroner has identified a teenager who died Saturday afternoon when shots were fired not far from Peoria Zoo.
Coroner Jamie Harwood says an autopsy on Jahiem Welch, 18, will be conducted on Monday.
Welch was one of two adults, along with one juvenile, who were injured when at least ten rounds were fired Saturday afternoon. Police first received a SpotSpotter alert around 2:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of East Republic Street, but three victims were found near Central and Frye.
All three were taken to local hospitals. Welch was pronounced dead about a half hour after the first shooting at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Another adult male was hospitalized Saturday night in stable condition, while a juvenile male was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Police have released no other details about the shooting. It’s not clear if a suspect has been identified, but you’re asked to call investigators using any of the means below if you have information to provide.
UPDATED 9:58 p.m.
PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Police now say it was an adult male who died, with another adult and a juvenile injured after a shooting Saturday afternoon.
Police Public Information Office Semone Roth says officers were initially called to the 1100 block of East Republic Street for a ShotSpotter alert indicating ten rounds had been fired. Later calls indicated victims were in the 2100 block of North Central Avenue, near Central and Frye.
Reports initially indicated two juveniles and one adult were hurt, but Roth now says it was instead two adults and one juvenile. All three were taken to local hospitals, where one adult male was pronounced dead. The Peoria County Coroner will release further details on him at another time.
The second adult male is said to be in stable condition as of Saturday evening. The juvenile male is hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Police are still investigating, and no suspect information is available. You’re urged to call Peoria Police Detective Miller at (309) 494-8397, or Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000, if you have information to provide. You can also use the Tip411 app on your smartphone.
This would mark the city’s 14th homicide this year.
This story will be updated.
