Matthiad Edward Clemons, a 6-year-old boy from Bloomington, Illinois, tragically lost his life on March 8, 2022. The incident occurred in an apartment on Four Seasons Road, where Bloomington Police discovered Matthiad, his father Lawrence D. Clemons III, and his mother Brittney C. Harmon. Matthiad, who was of African American descent, was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds. His father, Lawrence D. Clemons III, a 35-year-old African American male, was found with a critical gunshot wound to his head and later died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Brittney C. Harmon, a 32-year-old African American woman, was also critically injured and succumbed to her injuries two days later.
The investigation revealed that Lawrence D. Clemons III was the perpetrator of this tragic event. According to the Bloomington Police Department, Lawrence murdered his son Matthiad and his partner Brittney before turning the gun on himself. This incident was classified as a murder-suicide, rooted in domestic violence. The McLean County Coroner, Dr. Kathleen Yoder, confirmed the cause of death for all three individuals, with autopsies showing that Matthiad died from multiple gunshot wounds, while Lawrence and Brittney died from gunshot injuries.
The community was deeply affected by this incident, with Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington expressing profound sorrow over the loss of life, particularly that of a young child. He emphasized the severe impact of domestic violence and the need for community support for victims and survivors. The family of Brittney and Matthiad released a statement expressing their overwhelming grief and the profound loss they felt, highlighting the joy and love that Brittney and Matthiad brought into their lives.
The Bloomington Police Department and the McLean County Coroner’s office conducted thorough investigations into the incident. The case was closed following the confirmation of the murder-suicide, with no further arrests or suspects involved. The tragic deaths of Matthiad Edward Clemons, his father Lawrence D. Clemons III, and his mother Brittney C. Harmon serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
