Justin Lee Murphy Jr., a 2-year-old boy from Decatur, Illinois, tragically lost his life on October 14, 2017. The young boy, who was of African American descent, was fatally shot in the torso. The incident occurred at a home in Decatur, where police found the injured child on a Saturday morning. Despite efforts to save him, Justin was pronounced dead later at a local hospital.
The investigation into Justin's death led to the arrest of 17-year-old Zachary Pherigo, who was charged as an adult. Pherigo faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated discharge of a weapon, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He was held on a $500,000 bond. According to authorities, the shooting happened during a game of "cops and robbers" that went horribly wrong. Pherigo allegedly held a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun to Justin's side and pulled the trigger, not realizing the weapon was loaded.
The case against Pherigo was significant, as it involved the tragic loss of a young life and the serious charges against a teenager. The Macon County Coroner, Michel Day, confirmed that Justin died from a gunshot wound to the torso. The legal proceedings included Pherigo's first court appearance, where he was formally charged and held in the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. The case drew attention to the dangers of firearms and the tragic consequences of their misuse, especially in the hands of young individuals.
