The Peoria County State's Attorney says a woman has been charged for allegedly shooting an 18-year old from Pekin.
In a press release, Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos said 19-year old Deziaah Hunter was charged with aggravated battery in connection with the shooting of Kenadee Wallenfang.
According to a statement from Peoria Police, detectives identified Hunter as a suspect in the shooting on Tuesday. Hunter was interviewed by police on Wednesday and subsequently arrested for aggravated battery and reckless conduct.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said the Wallenfang was pronounced brain dead at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center on Wednesday.
Peoria police officials said officers responded to a report of a woman shot in the 100 block of Southwest Water Street shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the State's Attorney's Office, police found Wallenfang lying on the ground next to an SUV with a gunshot wound in the back of her head. Officers also found a bullet hole in the back of the driver's seat headrest with powder burns.
A witness to the shooting reportedly told police that Hunter was seated behind Wallenfang. When police took Hunter into custody, she was allegedly in possession of a gun without a magazine. A loaded gun magazine was later located in her pocket, with a single spent shell casing.
Police say Hunter claimed the gun went off accidentally.
Harwood said Wallenfang was unconscious and not breathing upon arriving at the hospital. She was aggressively treated in the trauma room and admitted to an intensive care unit in “stable, yet vulnerable condition.” Wallenfang was pronounced brain dead at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Harwood said Wallenfang is a registered organ donor and “her wishes will be honored.”
Hoos said a Peoria County judge granted a petition to detain Hunter at the Peoria County jail until her trial.
The attorney's office did not share any information about possible murder charges, in light of Wallenfang's death.
The investigation is ongoing.
Officials ask anyone with information to contact the Peoria Police Department, CrimeStoppers, or submit anonymously through the tip411 app.
