PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria teenager accused of committing the city’s 23rd homicide of the year is now officially charged by a grand jury with the crime.
Court records indicate the grand jury Tuesday charged Erick Jackson, 18, with two counts of First-Degree Murder, and one count of Aggravated Battery.
The charges claim Jackson “personally” fired the gun that was used in the death of Merian Smith, 15, November 7th near Hanssler and Bootz. At a recent bond hearing, Jackson’s public defender claimed there was no evidence he fired.
It’s also been suggested at least two other people were seen near the scene of the shooting.
Jackson is scheduled for arraignment December 15th. He remains in the Peoria County Jail.
