Peoria police and the county coroner concur the Valentine's Day morning shooting on West John Gwynn Junior Avenue was a murder-suicide. The coroner says 39-year-old David Jenkins shot 30-year-old Kayla Fannon three times before taking his own life.
Fannon called police the night before at 11:56 p.m., expressing concern about Jenkins. He was paroled January 25th for battery of Fannon while she was pregnant. Fannon believed Jenkins’ release specified he was not to have contact with her.
Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion says the responding officer reports seeing the text messages from Jenkins that include a person holding a handgun. “The picture was not a full-face photo, therefore the officer could not positively identify that it was Mr. Jenkin’s in the photo. Mr. Jenkins called Ms. Fannon while the officer was on scene. At one point Ms. Fannon answered the phone. Mr. Jenkins did not make any threatening comments at that time. The officer checked Mr. Jenkins on his in-car and could not information that he was not to have contact with Ms. Fannon.”
Chief Marion says, “the officer asked Ms. Fannon to email him every photo and screenshot of the text messages so he could add it to his report and forward it Mr. Jenkin’s parole officer for his review. The officer also told Ms. Fannon to obtain an order of protection and if she was in fear for her safety to relocate to another safe place.”
Seven hours later, at 6:56 a.m. Thursday police received the 911 call that Jenkins entered Fannon’s home and started shooting. He had previous orders of protection including one for Fannon in 2017 and another protection order in 2002.
Kayla Fannon had four children, including one with Jenkin’s. Her death is Peoria’s 6th homicide of the year. Peoria Police continue to investigate the case.