PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria says a broken justice system led to three teenagers with lengthy criminal records being arrested for a shooting on Sunday in South Peoria that left a man critically injured.
In a statement on Monday, Echevarria said the teens are being held in the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Between them, they have been arrested 27 times in the last four to five years. Their crimes include multiple gun-related charges, vehicular hijacking, burglary, and aggravated battery to a police officer.
Chief Echevarria said one of the teens was arrested in mid-September for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm and resisting and obstructing police. He was released from custody because of Illinois’ current juvenile detention guidelines. Less than a month later, that teenager was involved in Sunday’s gun violence, according to Echevarria.
“This system is broken. It allows repeat violent juvenile offenders to avoid detention and return to the streets, even when they pose a clear threat to public safety,” Echevarria said.
“This system must be examined, reformed, and rebuilt,” Echevarria also said.
Monday afternoon, Peoria Police released details of a shooting in the area of W. Antoinette and S. Westmoreland where a 22-year-old man was shot in the head. A ShotSpotter alert indicated 15 rounds had been fired there.
PPD said the man was shot while riding a bike, and when officers arrived, they found him on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Several teenagers were seen running into a nearby home on W. Antoinette. Investigators obtained a search warrant, took the teens into custody, and found “multiple” guns in the home, including one that was reportedly stolen.
Chief Echevarria said the teens did not live in the home.
“They ran there after the shooting, attempted to evade police, and attempted to conceal their involvement,” the chief said.
Two of the tees are 16-years-old, the other is 17. Echevarria said police continue to do their job of making arrests and seizing guns.
“Our officers are risking their lives arresting armed juvenile offenders. Many of these juveniles are repeatedly released with no meaningful consequences, and no intervention services to prevent reoffending. That does not create rehabilitation. It creates more victims,” Echevarria said.
The chief said Peoria has a parenting problem, and that the safety of the city is not negotiable.
“I fully support stronger laws that hold parents accountable when they knowingly allow their children to carry guns, engage in violence, and terrorize neighborhoods. These juveniles are not raising themselves, someone is allowing it, and that someone must also be held responsible,” Echevarria said.
Echevarria also said, “If you are a parent, be present, be responsible, be involved. If you are a legislator, we need your help to improve the juvenile justice system and close the gaps that put our communities at risk. If you know something, say something. Silence protects violent offenders.”
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