A 20-year-old Peoria man has been arrested for murder and other charges stemming from a fatal shooting and crash last weekend on the city’s South Side.
Peoria Police said Karon Hopkins was released from a local hospital and taken to department headquarters to be interviewed. He was then charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and possession of a weapon by a felon and taken to the Peoria County Jail.
Hopkins was one of two suspects who were hospitalized after the incident early Saturday morning that resulted in two deaths. After Malik Pickett, 26, was shot multiple times near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and MacArthur Highway, a vehicle fleeing the scene struck and killed Gary Traylor, 52, near the intersection of Western and Howett.
The vehicle then hit a utility pole and both occupants were taken to the hospital. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Office incident report indicates the vehicle was reported as stolen.
The Illinois State Police continue to investigate the crash. No additional information regarding the vehicle’s other occupant has been released.
