Kennard "Ken" Hardy II, a 23-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on September 8, 2019, in Peoria, Illinois. The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. when Peoria police responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1300 block of Kettelle Street. Upon arrival, officers found Hardy with multiple gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in grave condition and succumbed to his injuries at 12:44 a.m. the following day. Preliminary autopsy findings revealed that Hardy was shot multiple times in the trunk of his body, resulting in detrimental internal bleeding. There was no evidence of close-range fire or defense wounds, indicating that Hardy may not have had a chance to defend himself.
The Peoria Police Department's investigation into Hardy's death is ongoing. The ShotSpotter alert indicated that ten rounds were fired during the incident. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, no suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with Hardy's murder. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward and assist in solving the case.
Hardy's death marked the 18th homicide in Peoria for the year 2019. The community has been deeply affected by the loss of such a young life, and the lack of progress in the investigation has left many seeking justice for Hardy and his family. The Peoria County Coroner, Jamie Harwood, confirmed the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, emphasizing the severity of the attack. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement officials continuing to gather evidence and follow leads in hopes of bringing those responsible to justice.
