PEORIA, Ill. – A 19-year-old Peoria man has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Peoria County Court.
Jared R. Williams was convicted of second degree murder for the August, 2023 shooting death of Mason Loy, 21, in the parking lot outside Laramie Liquors.
Williams was originally charged with first degree murder and transferred to adult court, but the jury convicted him of second degree murder because Loy made previous threats against Williams.
Prosecutors had argued for a 20 year sentence based on what they called “extreme facts” in the case.
Williams pointed a gun at Loy in the parking lot in front of witnesses. Loy, who was unarmed, tried to run away but Williams open fire and shot Loy four times. Three of the bullets stuck Loy in the back.
The business was open at the time of the crime, and bullets also struck the windows of the store.
Prosecutors also argued Williams continued to commit violent crimes toward others while in custody, saying he was involved in fights in the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center.
Despite the state’s argument, Peoria County judge Stephen Couri sentenced Williams closer to the minimum sentence.
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