The man charged with shooting a Peoria County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop will stay in jail until his trial begins.
Larry D. Bell, 51, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and other offenses stemming from the Saturday shooting of deputy Jack Evans, who remains hospitalized in stable condition with multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and abdomen.
A Peoria County judge on Wednesday granted prosecutors’ petition for Bell’s pretrial detention.
Evans was conducting a traffic stop in the 1000 block of South Western Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday. A passenger police later identified as Bell got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Evans pursued, and was shot during the chase and ensuing struggle.
Hours later, Peoria Police officers found Bell hiding in an abandoned building, and later recovered the handgun he allegedly used. Testing confirmed the handgun matched shell casings recovered from the scene, said authorities.
Bell also is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, armed violence, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Additionally, he faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat offender, based on prior felony convictions in Kankakee County.
