A hot Wednesday morning did not stop Peoria Police, Crime Stoppers, and Peoria Community Against Violence from going door to door asking for information regarding the city’s latest homicide victim, 30-year-old Robert Purdle.
At 2:12 a.m. July 4, police responded to a Shotspotter alert of 11 rounds fired.
Officers arrived to a residence in the 2200 block of W. Wiswall to find two shooting victims. One victim identified as Purdle, was transported to a local hospital where he died from is injuries.
Sherrell Stinson, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, said this is something they will always do after an incident or homicide takes place.
“Our goal is to knock on doors, and actually talk to people after the dust has settled to let them know, not only are we still out here and we’re trying to get answers, but they actually have an anonymous way to speak,” Stinson said.
“This is our soft approach where you’re going to see people in polo’s, people with smiling faces, civilians, and it’s a way to say these are people from your neighborhood, your city, and different walks of life that we saying we care, and we want you to know that we care,” Stinson said.
Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion III said the department is going to stay consistent with neighborhood canvases.
“Unless an arrest is made shortly after the incident, we’re giving it one week,” Marion said. “If we haven’t developed enough information to help out with the case, then we’ll be out here doing it”.
Marion said he wants the community to build strong relationships with the police.
“No matter what the weather is, or what day of the week it is, we’re going to be out,” Marion said.
Anyone can report information to Crime Stoppers and remain anonymous by calling 309-673-9000 or send a text to 274-637 and put the letters ‘GPCS’ before your message.
If any information given leads to and arrest and indictment, there is a cash reward of $5,000.