A weekend confrontation between Peoria Police officers trying to assist a gunshot victim and a crowd of more than 50 bystanders has led to multiple arrests, prompted a statement from the mayor, and drawn scrutiny from a civil rights organization.
A statement issued jointly Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Peoria and ACLU of Illinois called for an independent, comprehensive investigation into the actions of police involved in the response.
“Police leadership should ensure that such an investigation explores what de-escalation tactics were used, whether the force used was appropriate, and whether police officers appropriately intervened if an officer utilized any excessive force,” the statement said.
Downtown disturbance
The series of events started around 4:45 a.m. Sunday, when police and fire department personnel responded to the 600 block of Main Street in downtown Peoria for a call of shots fired.
A media release from the police department says while first responders were attempting to assist a shooting victim, they encountered more than 50 individuals at the scene who “became combative with officers as they attempted to secure the area and render aid.”
Police say multiple individuals in the crowd were arrested for interfering with the officers’ duties. In a statement later Sunday, Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria defended the officers’ actions.
“While my officers were attempting to save a life, they were surrounded, shoved, and interfered with by individuals who chose to obstruct their work rather than allow them to help,” he said, adding such behavior would not be tolerated and acknowledging that videos circulating online showed parts of the confrontation.
“Let me be clear: Under no circumstances will I allow anyone to surround my officers aggressively, put their hands on them, or interfere as they are working to protect this community and save lives,” said Echevarria.
Criminal charges filed
On Monday, the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office charged six people with aggravated battery in connection with the clash. Five of them remain in custody, while charges have been dropped against the other individual.
“Despite repeated commands for the crowd to back away, those orders were ignored,” said a news release from the state’s attorney. “Officers were forced to physically push people back in order to assist the victim. Members of the crowd continued to ignore commands and surrounded officers, obstructing their efforts.”
A day later, Mayor Rita Ali issued a statement calling the crowd’s actions “unacceptable” and an attack on the community’s values that undermines public safety.
“I’ve reviewed the complete footage from the Peoria Police Department. It clearly shows that while officers were attempting to provide lifesaving aid, their efforts were obstructed by the crowd,” said Ali. “Moving forward, I expect for our community to allow the men and women of the Peoria Police Department and other public safety workers to do their job.”
“Public safety is not negotiable. We will not allow the reckless actions of a few to endanger the lives of us all..”Peoria Mayor Rita Ali
The 24-year-old shooting victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was in critical condition with a gunshot wound to his chest. While officers were on the scene, they heard more shots fired in the vicinity. Shortly after, a 29-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle.
Ali said the crowd’s behavior led to a six-minute delay between the time emergency personnel arrived on the scene and when they were able to get to the first victim.
“Every business in Peoria has the right to operate safely, and every resident and visitor deserves to enjoy our city without fear,” she said in her statement. “Public safety is not negotiable. We will not allow the reckless actions of a few to endanger the lives of us all. Let us all work together to assure civility and peaceful social interaction.”
Use of force questioned
Despite the assertions by Echevarria and Ali, the ACLU says the officers’ use of force shown in the videos — “including kneeling on someone’s back or neck” — are troubling.
“Illinois state law require all officers to utilize de-escalation techniques when engaging the public and regulate the sorts of techniques officers can use when taking someone into custody. The video available to the public raises serious questions as to whether these police officers were in compliance with the state law and department use of force policy,” said the ACLU statement.
“Peoria residents want to build trust and a strong relationship of cooperation with police in their community. But trust begins with transparency and full exploration.”ACLU of Illinois and ACLU of Peoria
“Peoria residents want to build trust and a strong relationship of cooperation with police in their community. But trust begins with transparency and full exploration. An independent investigation of the sort we call for would help address many years of mistrust and cynicism about policing in Peoria.”
On Wednesday, Peoria Police announced the arrest of the suspected shooter, 29-year-old Adrian Morris. He was taken into custody without incident in the 1000 block of South Gomo Street, and officers seized multiple guns during a search of the residence. He faces two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated discharge of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
Echevarria said the investigation into the entire incident is ongoing.
“To those who interfered with my officers while they were trying to save a man’s life, this is not over,” the chief said in the news release announcing Morris’ arrest. “Along with the arrest of the shooter and all the other arrests already made, we are continuing to collect every piece of evidence. You may have gotten away that night, but we will find you.”
