The man convicted of first-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of a Peoria teen has been sentenced to a maximum 85-year prison term for the crime.
Tramier Pate, 25, received the prison term during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing before Peoria County Judge Paul Bauer. A jury convicted Pate in May for the killing of Omarius Gates, who was 14 at the time.
According to a media release from the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, Bauer told Pate that his victim “deserved more consideration than you gave him.”
The shooting occurred during an attempted robbery on June 26, 2023, after a large group that included Pate and Gates were playing basketball at The Woodlands apartment complex.
After sunset, the group headed to a nearby store. Pate approached Gates as he walked alongside a relative, and pressed a gun into his back in a robbery attempt. Testimony during the two-day trial indicated Pate fired one shot into Gates’ back, causing the fatal injury.
The state’s attorney’s office says Gates’ mother, Tyrea Neely, addressed the court during Wednesday’s hearing, telling the judge her world is shattered.
“Pate didn’t just commit a crime. He tore apart lives, a family’s peace, and a mother’s heart,” she said.
Pate will be required to serve 100% of his sentence.
