Dana “Alizabeth” Lawton, a 47-year-old white woman from Quincy, Illinois, tragically lost her life on May 24, 2023, as a result of gun violence. While sitting on the front porch of a home in the 1100 block of Jefferson Street, she was struck in the head by a bullet fired during an altercation occurring more than a block away. Lawton was transported to Blessing Hospital and subsequently airlifted to Saint John's Hospital in Springfield, where she succumbed to her injuries on May 25.
The investigation revealed that Dana Lawton was an unintended victim, caught in the crossfire of a separate incident. The suspect, 19-year-old Victor A. Weems III, was allegedly involved in a dispute near 12th and Jefferson Streets and fired a shot during the confrontation. The bullet traveled over a block before fatally striking Lawton.
Following the incident, Weems evaded authorities for over seven months. Reports placed him in various locations, including Chicago and St. Charles, Missouri. On January 8, 2024, acting on a tip, law enforcement conducted a raid at the Village Apartments on 3100 State Street in Quincy. Weems was found in a back bedroom and arrested without incident.
In October 2024, Weems entered a guilty plea to first-degree murder and two misdemeanors as part of a plea agreement. Under the terms of the deal, he faces a sentence of up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with the requirement to serve 100% of the sentence. Six other felony charges against him were dismissed as part of the agreement.
Dana Lawton was remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother, known for her dark sense of humor and her love for rock and roll. She worked at Dollar General in Quincy and was described as a fun person with a huge heart, always putting her family first.
