Matthew Douglas Greer-Blakey, a 20-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on March 30, 2018, in Springfield, Illinois. Born on December 8, 1997, in Chicago, Illinois, Matthew was a beloved son to Matthew Douglas Blakey Sr. and Sherry L. Greer. He was known for his infectious smile, witty sense of humor, and competitive spirit. Matthew attended Lanphier High School, where he excelled in football and basketball, earning a reputation as a hardworking, respectful, and charismatic young man. After graduating in May 2016, he attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he majored in Business Administration and was actively involved in intramural athletics.
On the evening of March 29, 2018, neighbors in Springfield reported hearing gunshots around 10 p.m. The following morning, Matthew's body was discovered in an alley in the 1000 block of Henrietta Street. The Sangamon County coroner's office confirmed that Matthew died from a gunshot wound, which was not survivable and would have killed him immediately. His death marked Springfield's fifth homicide of the year and the third in March.
The investigation into Matthew's death led to the arrest of Kevas L. Ballance, a 31-year-old Springfield man, who was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated discharge of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and being an armed habitual criminal. Ballance had been released from prison on parole just two days before the murder, having served a six-year sentence for a 2014 aggravated robbery in Sangamon County. He had a history of criminal activity, including drug possession, weapon use, and credit card misuse. Ballance's bond was set at $2 million, and he was taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation.
The case against Ballance was ongoing, with the State's Attorney John Milhiser acknowledging the hard work of the Springfield Police Department in identifying and apprehending the suspect. Milhiser also mentioned that additional people could be charged as the investigation continued. Matthew's untimely death left a void in the lives of his family, friends, and the community, who remembered him as a smart, athletic, and focused young man with a bright future ahead.
