On December 13, 2019, 24-year-old Patrick B. Moton Jr. of Peoria, Illinois, was fatally shot near the Dream Night Club on Southwest Washington Street. Born on February 12, 1995, in Peoria to Patrick Moton Sr. and Tyresa Moton, Patrick was raised by his grandmother, Pamela Sue Horn. He was known for his vibrant personality, often described as "the life of the party" with a contagious smile. Patrick valued family deeply and cherished his relationships with close friends.
He had earned two degrees from Lincoln Land College and had aspirations for a promising future.
In the early hours of that Friday, Peoria Police responded to reports of two individuals shooting at each other in an alley behind the Dream Night Club. Upon arrival, officers discovered Patrick Moton with life-threatening injuries; he was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:39 a.m. An autopsy revealed that the 24-year-old had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, along with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and extremities, leading the coroner to conclude that he likely died instantly.
Following the incident, authorities arrested three individuals in connection with the homicide. Tyrese T. Walker, 20, and Desmond N. Sanders, 29, were both charged with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a weapon without a Firearm Owner's Identification card. Additionally, Jasmine Walker, 29, was arrested for obstructing justice. The arrests occurred in the 2300 block of Garden Street. As officers approached the residence, a pit bull was released and attacked a police K-9, prompting officers to shoot the pit bull to protect their K-9 partner. The police dog received emergency veterinary care and was expected to recover.
Subsequently, both Walker and Sanders were indicted on charges of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Patrick Moton. Their bonds were set at $1 million each. This tragic event marked the 24th homicide in Peoria for the year 2019, prompting community discussions about violence and safety in the area.
