Jeremiah L. Ward, a 4-year-old boy from Peoria, Illinois, tragically lost his life on May 13, 2019. Jeremiah, who was born on October 20, 2014, was a beloved child known for his love of cartoons and his infectious smile. On the evening of his death, Jeremiah was caught in a hail of bullets outside the Lincoln Terrace Apartments in Peoria. The gunfire, which was intended for a 23-year-old man who was in the car with Jeremiah and his mother, resulted in Jeremiah being struck by three stray bullets. Despite the heroic efforts of the trauma team at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Jeremiah succumbed to massive internal bleeding caused by the gunshot wounds.
The investigation into Jeremiah's death revealed that he was not the intended target of the shooting. The 23-year-old man, who was known to the police, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg. The Peoria Police Chief, Loren Marion III, described the incident as an ambush attack aimed at the 23-year-old man. Jeremiah's mother, Lexii Moore, who was also in the car at the time of the shooting, was not physically harmed. The community was left devastated by the loss of such a young and innocent life.
In the years following Jeremiah's death, the Peoria Police Department has continued to search for the person responsible for the shooting. Despite numerous appeals for information and the efforts of community organizations like Peoria Community Against Violence, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in bringing justice for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah's death has had a profound impact on the Peoria community, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence in the area. The community has come together to remember Jeremiah and to call for an end to the violence that took his life. Vigils and memorials have been held in his honor, and efforts to engage the community in violence prevention initiatives have been intensified. Jeremiah's story serves as a poignant reminder of the innocent lives lost to senseless violence and the need for continued efforts to ensure justice and safety for all.
