Sam B. Causey Jr., a 49-year-old African American male from Peoria, Illinois, was found shot to death on August 12, 2019. Causey, who was born on August 24, 1969, was discovered on the sidewalk outside a neighbor's house in the 700 block of East Ravine Avenue just before 4 a.m. The Peoria County Coroner, Jamie Harwood, reported that Causey had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to both the front and back of his body, leading to his death within seconds due to the severity of the injuries. There were no defensive wounds, and no evidence of close-range fire was found. The caliber of the weapon used has not been disclosed, pending further investigation by the Peoria Police Department.
The incident was detected by the city's gunfire-detection system, ShotSpotter, which alerted the police to three rounds fired in the area. A neighbor reported hearing at least four gunshots and saw an older-style mini SUV speeding away from the scene. Despite the immediate response, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. The Peoria Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward.
This tragic event is not the first time the Causey family has faced such a loss. On July 22, 2015, Sam Causey's son, Kamron L. Causey, was also shot and killed outside his home in Peoria. Kamron, who was 30 years old at the time, was shot multiple times in the head. The family has been deeply affected by these violent incidents, and the community has expressed its shock and sorrow over the loss of Sam Causey Jr., who was known as a hardworking individual and a devoted family man.
Sam Causey Jr. was employed at Dairy Queen for over seven years and was described by his family as someone who enjoyed yard work, training dogs, and spending time with his grandchildren. He leaves behind a large family, including his children, siblings, and close friends who regarded him as a brother. The family continues to seek justice for both Sam and Kamron Causey, hoping that the ongoing investigations will eventually bring closure and accountability for these senseless acts of violence.
