Seven suspects are in custody linked to the shooting death of 14-year-old Tommie Forest earlier this month.
Police say one of the suspects, a 17-year-old who police won’t identify, is affiliated with the CUC or “Cleanup Crew” gang. CUC is affiliated with Peoria's West Bluff neighborhood.
“Other than that we did not have any documentation to be able to say that the other individuals were part of any group.” Captain Loren Marion said.
But Marion says the first arrest in this case, 21-year-old Alex Collins, does have a previous record of involvement in the same gang.
Assistant Chief Mike Eddlemon says the department was able to work quickly on the case because they received key information from witnesses.
“And we did have a lot more participation from the public, so that worked in our favor,” Eddlemon said.
Eddlemon says the information led U.S. Marshals to the arrest of two suspects, 18-year-old Kiangelo Marshall and the 17-year-old, at a residence in Fulton County. Four of the seven suspects have been charged with murder and home invasion on the fatal shooting that occurred on October 10th.
Police would not say which of the seven suspects fired the shot that killed 14-year-old Tommiee Forest.