Robert Lee Sims Jr., a 37-year-old African American male from Peoria, Illinois, tragically lost his life on April 26, 2022. The incident occurred late at night when Peoria police responded to alerts from the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system. Upon arrival at a residence in the 2000 block of West Wiswall Street, officers discovered Robert Lee Sims Jr. deceased inside the home. The Peoria County Coroner, Jamie Harwood, confirmed that Sims had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:34 a.m. on April 27, 2022. The autopsy results indicated that Sims died instantly from the gunshot wounds.
The investigation into the murder of Robert Lee Sims Jr. led to the arrest of John Nichols III, a 26-year-old male. Nichols was apprehended in the 2800 block of West Ann Street and subsequently booked into the Peoria County Jail. He faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and resisting arrest. The authorities identified Nichols as the primary suspect in the shooting that resulted in the death of Sims and the injury of another individual. The second victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The case against John Nichols III progressed through the legal system, with Nichols being formally charged with the murder of Robert Lee Sims Jr. The Peoria Police Department continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but no additional suspects were sought in connection with the incident. The tragic death of Robert Lee Sims Jr. marked the seventh homicide in Peoria for the year 2022, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in the community. The authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting or other violent crimes to come forward and assist with the investigation.
