One woman is dead and another woman in custody following a stabbing Tuesday night on the western edge of Downtown Peoria.
According to the Peoria Police Department, 31-year-old Keonta Williams was arrested for first-degree murder Wednesday and taken to Peoria County Jail.
In a social media post, Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood identified the victim as 36-year-old Catherine Walker-Thomas of Peoria.
Officers were called to the 700 block of N. Hightower Street shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday in response to a 911 hang-up call. On the way, they received information regarding a disturbance at the address.
Upon arrival, they found Walker-Thomas with an apparent stab wound. She was was taken to the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center trauma room, where she was admitted in critical condition and eventually pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m..
Harwood said Walker-Thomas likely died moments after the stabbing. Her death is the fifth homicide in Peoria this year.
An investigation later identified Williams as the suspect in the altercation.
Anyone with additional information that may be related to the crime is asked to contact the police department.
