PEORIA, Ill. – A man has been found guilty for a 2023 murder at a South Peoria liquor store.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 19-year-old Jared WIlliams was found guilty on Wednesday of second degree murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Mason Loy.
The fatal shooting occurred in the parking lot of Laramie Liquors in August of 2023, where Loy was shot four times and pronounced dead at the scene. Williams, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, fled the scene of the shooting and was arrested days later in Normal. The gun used in the shooting was found still in Williams’ possession, and six shell casings collected from the scene matched the gun.
The trial focused on whether or not Williams acted in self-defense, with surveillance video capturing the shooting. Prosecutors say Williams admitted on the stand that he shot Loy, but claimed it was in self-defense out of fear for his life due to alleged previous threats made by Loy.
One such incident occurred earlier in the summer and recorded on video, where Loy visited WIlliams’ home to look for him. Loy instead found his family instead, and threatened to kill both Williams and his family. Nothing came from it.
The state’s attorney’s office says First Degree Murder charges were considered because surveillance video supported a theory that Williams was the aggressor the night of the shooting.
Prosecutors say Williams was sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot while Loy was in the store. Loy exited the store and walked by Williams’ vehicle, unarmed and his hands at his sides.
Williams then exited the vehicle and pointed his gun at Loy, with Loy attempting to run after seeing the weapon. Williams then shot Loy four times, with three in the back, killing Loy.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21st.
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