Roosevelt Hunter III, a 28-year-old African American male from Peoria, Illinois, tragically lost his life on November 15, 2020. He was fatally shot multiple times near the Landmark Apartments in Peoria. The incident occurred as he was getting out of a van, and surveillance cameras captured the shooting. Hunter was found on a sidewalk in the 700 block of Shipman Street, succumbing to his injuries shortly after the attack.
The investigation into Roosevelt Hunter III's death led to the
arrest of Ontario Alexander, a 29-year-old male from Peoria. Alexander was apprehended days after the shooting when he was seen placing handguns into a vehicle linked to the crime. Despite the lack of DNA or fingerprint evidence directly tying Alexander to the murder, prosecutors highlighted that he was in possession of the handgun used in the shooting at the time of his arrest.
Alexander faced two trials for the murder of Roosevelt Hunter III. In the first trial, the jury deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial. However, in the second trial, the jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before finding Alexander guilty of the murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in prison under the state's Truth in Sentencing Act, which requires him to serve the full sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, Alexander received a two-year sentence for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances leading to the tragic event. Roosevelt Hunter III's death has left a profound impact on his family and the Peoria community, as they continue to seek justice and closure for the loss of their loved one.
