UPDATED 10:15 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – We now know the name of the victim in Monday night’s officer-involved shooting in South Peoria. And, we have heard for the first time from Peoria’s Police Chief on the matter.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says it was Samuel Richmond, 59, pronounced dead at the scene of multiple gunshot wounds in the area of Martin Luther King Park — in the area where police went to on a ShotSpotter alert around 10:00 P.M. Monday. Police were in the area of the 700 block of Hulbert Street. According to a news release, officers heard another shot be fired. Then, another ShotSpotter alert indicated a round being fired in the 800 block of W. McBean.
Police say as an officer entered the park, he encountered an adult male later identified as Richmond.
“It’s an unfortunate situation any time…any type of shooting or killing happens,” said Mayor Rita Ali, to 25 News. “The police will investigate to determine if it was justified or not.”
It’s actually Illinois State Police doing the investigation, and so far they’ve declined to release any details, including if anyone shot at police, or threatened to first, or how many officers might have fired. ISP has confirmed that no police officers were injured in the encounter.
That’s not stopping others who knew Richmond from asking their own questions.
“I said, ‘Did he do something wrong, or did you guys do something wrong?’” said Alphonso Alexander, a lifelong friend of Richmond, to 25 News. “The guy said, ‘Yes.’ He looked at me aid said ‘Yes. Something went wrong.’”
Tuesday night, according to a statement from Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria, “Richmond was armed with a firearm; placing officers in a life-threatening situation where deadly force had to be used.”
Echevarria’s statement indicates four police officers all opened fire on Richmond. All four have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation by Illinois State Police continues.
25 News reports Richmond worked for a long time at a local grocery store, and most recently at Peoria International Airport. They report Richmond otherwise had no criminal record in Peoria County, outside of some speeding and traffic offenses.
WMBD’s check of Peoria County Jail arrest records indicates the last time Richmond was arrested in Peoria County was in the year 2000 on a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. That case, for which prosecutors only charged Richmond with Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, ended up being dismissed.
Harwood says the autopsy determined Richmond died instantly, even though “aggressive treatment” was done on scene.
“While our officers are extremely dedicated to preserving life, unfortunately there are times when we are forced into deadly encounters, and last night was a clear example of that. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Richmond.” — Chief Eric Echevarria
