On November 10, 2024, Johnnetta Smith, a 48-year-old resident of Peoria, Illinois, was fatally shot in a violent incident. The first shooting occurred just before 5:30 P.M. in the 600 block of East Republic, where Smith was found with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures performed at the scene, she was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and pronounced dead shortly before 6:00 P.M..
According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Smith suffered multiple gunshot wounds throughout her body and likely died moments after being shot.
The suspect in Smith's murder was identified as 27-year-old Kenten J. Watkins, Jr. Watkins was also linked to a second shooting that occurred about half an hour later in the 3500 block of Sodus Court, where a 63-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to the leg. The man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the second shooting, Watkins was found lying in a driveway in the same area with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, having likely died instantly.
The Peoria Police Department has confirmed that all three incidents remain under investigation. The shootings resulted in the deaths of both Johnnetta Smith and Kenten J. Watkins, Jr., and left a third individual injured but alive.
