PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Police have long said they believed more than one person was possibly responsible for a fatal shooting last November.
Now, they say, a second suspect is in custody.
Police say an 18-year-old they did not identify was arrested Thursday night on First-Degree Murder and other felony weapons charges. The teen was not identified because the shooting occurred before he turned 18.
That marks the teen and Erick Jackson, 18, as being the two suspects arrested for the death of Merian Smith, 15, near Hanssler and Bootz last year. Jackson’s public defender has claimed there’s no evidence linking him to the death.
The latest arrest occurred during a traffic stop where everyone in the car tried to flee. The driver — Breon Smith, 19 — and a juvenile passenger face a host of charges, in part after guns were found in the vehicle.
Smith is charged with Aggravated Reckless Driving, Criminal Damage to Government Property, Fleeing/Eluding Police, Obstructing an Officer, and traffic violations.
The juvenile was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Handgun Without a FOID Card, and Possession of a Handgun Under 21.
