In the late hours of an April evening in Peoria, Illinois, tragedy struck, claiming the life of 23-year-old Marnelius Alexander. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 10:57 p.m., the sound of a single gunshot pierced the night in the 1000 block of Western Avenue, prompting a ShotSpotter alert that dispatched officers to the scene.
Upon their arrival, police discovered a grim scenario. Alexander was found at a nearby gas station with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by the officers, he was pronounced deceased at the scene at 11:45 p.m. An autopsy would later confirm that the single gunshot wound to his chest was the cause of death, and that he likely died instantly. This marked the second homicide in the city of Peoria for the year 2026, and the first to be the result of gunfire.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a second victim, a 19-year-old male, who was located outside a nearby auto parts store with a gunshot wound to his leg. His injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
As of the initial reports, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting, and the Peoria Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Unit, and Patrol Division are actively investigating the incident. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward and contact the Peoria Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
