Gary Broomfield, an 18-year-old African American male from Springfield, Illinois, tragically lost his life on September 8, 2020, after being shot multiple times. The incident occurred on the night of September 7, 2020, at an apartment building in the 2100 block of Lake Victoria Drive. Gary was transported to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:35 a.m. the following day. The Springfield and Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, confirmed his death. Gary had multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body, and the shooting was one of several violent incidents in Springfield around that time.
Gary Broomfield's death marked the ninth homicide in Springfield for the year 2020, matching the total number of homicides for the previous year. The Springfield Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting, which revealed that the incident occurred during a large fight in the area, with multiple shots fired. Gary was not currently enrolled in school but had previously attended Lanphier High School. He was known for his love of football and worked as a crew leader at Sonic Drive-In. Gary left behind a four-month-old daughter, Gabriella Broomfield, and was remembered by his family as a loving and caring person who was very family-oriented.
The investigation into Gary Broomfield's death led to the arrest of Richard A. Lee, Jr., an 18-year-old male from Springfield. On September 30, 2020, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges against Lee. In addition to the murder charges, Lee faced charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a street gang member, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and obstructing justice. Lee was held in the Sangamon County Jail on a $3 million bond. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 8, 2020, and if convicted, he faced a potential sentence of 40 to 80 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Gary Broomfield's death was a significant loss for his family and the Springfield community. His mother, Nelra Michelle Broomfield, had also been a victim of gun violence, having been fatally shot in 2016. Gary's older brother, Larry Broomfield, was serving a 30-year sentence for a 2015 murder. The Broomfield family had endured multiple tragedies, highlighting the ongoing issues of violence and crime in their community. The investigation into Gary's death continued as the community sought justice and answers for the senseless loss of a young life.
