Coroner: Juvenile injured in Monday shooting dies

PEORIA, Ill. – A juvenile taken to the hospital in critical condition Monday following a shooting near Quest Charter Academy has died.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says Merian Smith, 15, was pronounced brain dead Wednesday morning at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center.

Peoria Police say three separate Shot Spotter alerts totaling 21 rounds fired were reported around 3:30 Monday afternoon near Gift Street and Bootz Avenue.

Smith was one of two juveniles hurt during the shooting.

Police still have no suspects and an investigation continues.

It would mark the city’s 23rd homicide this year.

Harwood says in an e-mail child deaths are difficult, but it’s “even more heartbreaking” when gun violence is the cause.