Alaysia Monique Bennett, a 19-year-old African American woman from Springfield, Illinois, tragically lost her life on December 21, 2016. Alaysia was sitting in a car with three other individuals, including a 3-year-old girl, in the Georgetown Townhomes complex parking lot when she was fatally shot. The incident occurred in the early morning hours, and Alaysia was not the intended target of the shooting.
The driver of the car attempted to flee, placing Alaysia in the line of fire.
The investigation into Alaysia Bennett's death led to the arrest and conviction of three individuals. Devante Taylor, a 31-year-old man from Belleville, Illinois, was identified as the gunman. Taylor pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. His plea did not absolve him of criminal responsibility, and he is required to serve the full duration of his sentence. Taylor's mental health will be periodically evaluated by the Department of Corrections to determine if treatment in the Department of Human Services is necessary.
Two other individuals were also convicted for their roles in the shooting. Demarco M. Jones, a 37-year-old man from Springfield, received a 44-year prison sentence. Jones was convicted and sentenced in 2022 for his involvement in the attempted armed robbery that led to Alaysia's death. Roderick Gailes, a 33-year-old man from Springfield, pleaded guilty to his role in the murder and was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in November 2024.
Alaysia Bennett's death was a result of gunfire during an attempted armed robbery. The investigation revealed that she was an innocent passenger in the vehicle targeted by the assailants. The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on her family and the Springfield community. Alaysia was remembered as a patient registration specialist at Memorial Express Care and a graduate of Lanphier High School. She had attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a year before her untimely death.
