On the evening of December 22, 2024, 39-year-old white male James Miller was fatally shot in Peoria, Illinois. Around 7:45 p.m., Peoria police responded to a report of a person shot in the 300 block of East Arcadia Avenue, located in the East Bluff neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers found James Miller lying inside the front door of a building with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head and three to his back. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Five days later, on December 27, 2024, police arrested 15-year-old Robert Mister in connection with the shooting. He was taken into custody in the 1800 block of West Bradley Avenue. During a search of a home in the same area, detectives recovered a handgun and ammunition. When interviewed by police, Mister admitted to the shooting but claimed it was in self-defense.
Initially charged in juvenile court, prosecutors filed a petition to transfer Mister's case to adult court due to the severity of the offense. On May 16, 2025, a Peoria County judge granted the transfer, and Mister was formally charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The court considered factors such as Mister's background, previous rehabilitation efforts, the severity of the offense, and whether the juvenile justice system could adequately protect the public.
As of now, Robert Mister remains in custody at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, awaiting further legal proceedings. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities continue to seek information from the public regarding the incident.
