On the evening of August 26, 2023, 21-year-old Mason "Maso" Robert Ray Loy was found deceased in the parking lot of Laramie Liquors in Peoria, Illinois. Authorities responded to reports of a man down at 9:09 p.m. and discovered Loy with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Surveillance footage revealed a large, heavyset white male with long hair exiting a vehicle, approaching Loy without provocation, and firing multiple shots before fleeing. The suspect was later identified as 17-year-old Jared R. Williams. Williams was apprehended on August 28 in an apartment in Normal, Illinois, where a handgun was recovered. Preliminary tests indicated that this firearm matched shell casings found at the crime scene. Williams was charged with first-degree murder and, despite being a juvenile, is being tried as an adult. His bond was set at $1.5 million.
Born on August 8, 2002, in Peoria to Jason and Camilla (Stanley) Loy, Mason was the youngest brother to Christopher and Caleb Walker. He was the father of Nova-Grace Annette Loy and grandson to Bud and Nancy Loy, Mike and Cathy Clayton, and Rick and Darlene Vanderheydt. Mason was known for his loyalty, love for life, and ability to bring joy to those around him. He had been employed at Caterpillar until April 2023 and had recently started working at Rivian, where he was enthusiastic about future opportunities.
A visitation was held on September 5, 2023, at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, followed by a funeral service the next day. Mason was laid to rest at Parkview Cemetery. A celebration of his life took place on September 8 at the Peoria Heights VFW, reflecting his spirit of bringing people together. Memorial contributions were directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital in his honor.
