Jevon Gilliam, a 31-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on January 29, 2021, in Peoria, Illinois. The incident occurred outside the Peoria One Stop gas station at around 11:30 p.m. According to the Peoria County Coroner, Jevon Gilliam suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body, which led to rapid and severe hemorrhage, causing his death almost instantly. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center at approximately 12:20 a.m. on January 30, 2021.
The investigation into Jevon Gilliam's death revealed that he was one of two victims shot outside the gas station. The other victim, Marvin Sanders, also 31 years old, was treated for his gunshot wounds and subsequently arrested by Peoria Police. Sanders was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Jevon Gilliam's death. The charges against Sanders included two counts of first-degree murder, based on different legal theories involving the same homicide. If convicted, Sanders faced a minimum of 45 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence. His bond was set at $1 million, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 25, 2021.
Further investigation by the Peoria Police Department indicated that the shooting was detected by the ShotSpotter gunfire-detection system, which recorded 24 rounds fired near the intersection of Southwest Adams Street and South Easton Avenue. Officers found a crime scene at the Peoria One Stop gas station and later learned that two men had been driven to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Jevon Gilliam succumbed to his injuries, while Marvin Sanders was treated and released before being taken into custody.
Court records showed that Marvin Sanders had pending cases in both Peoria County and McLean County at the time of his arrest. The McLean County case involved drug possession allegations, while the Peoria County case included felony counts of burglary and mob action related to an incident at a Dollar General store in South Peoria. Additionally, police sought information on two other individuals, Jamere T. Laster, 25, and Dearian Y. Patterson, 19, who were considered armed and dangerous and potentially connected to the investigation.
In May 2022, Marvin Sanders was acquitted of the charges related to Jevon Gilliam's death. The not-guilty verdict came after Sanders' second trial, following a jury deadlock in the initial trial earlier that year. Despite the acquittal, the investigation into Jevon Gilliam's death remained a significant event in Peoria, highlighting the ongoing issues of gun violence and the complexities of the legal system in addressing such cases.
