On January 15, 2024, 18-year-old Marcus Whitehead of Peoria (though initially reported as from Bloomington in some sources) was fatally shot during a botched armed robbery in Peoria, Illinois. The incident occurred when Whitehead and another individual came to Peoria to look at a car that was advertised on Facebook Marketplace. The potential buyers were directed to an alley in the south end of Peoria, where a group of individuals, including the alleged robbers, attempted to rob them at gunpoint.
During the robbery, a fight ensued, and gunshots were fired. Whitehead suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:49 p.m. by Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. The autopsy revealed that Whitehead likely died instantly due to detrimental internal injuries.
The Peoria Police Department's investigation led to the arrest of several individuals in connection with the armed robbery. Sontarrius Williams, 27, and Jalyn Branscumb, 18, were initially charged with a single count of armed robbery, a felony offense that could result in up to 30 years in prison. Sontarrius Williams was ordered to remain in custody at the Peoria County Jail until his trial, while Branscumb had a detention hearing scheduled.
Later, two more teens were charged in connection with the robbery: 19-year-old Jonathan Williams and 18-year-old Tanarius Kingcade. Both were also charged with Armed Robbery and were ordered to be held in jail until their trial. Additionally, 18-year-old Keshawn Williams was among those previously charged in connection with the incident.
The man who fired the fatal shot, who was a legal gun owner, was not charged as he was found to be defending himself from the robbery attempt. The State’s Attorney, Jodi Hoos, stated that no charges would be filed against him due to the circumstances of self-defense. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, with the Peoria Police Department seeking additional information from the public.
