The suspect in an alleged attempted murder incident in South Peoria has died.
Peoria police officers responded to the Johnson Mini Mart around 8:30 a.m. Monday on a report of a man with a gun robbing the store. He was later identified as 33-year-old David S. Smith of Peoria.
Smith reportedly held a gun to the clerk’s head and pulled the trigger. The clerk said the gun clicked, leading them to believe Smith tried to kill them.
Smith fled the scene. Police later found him lying in a yard in the 300 block of South Saratoga. He was arrested by police after Advanced Medical Transport EMTs checked him out, but was later found unconscious at the police station.
He died at OSF Saint Francis just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Smith likely had a heart arrythmia tied to a pre-existing heart condition. No signs of blunt force trauma or other injuries were found on his body. Toxicology is pending.
The Illinois State Police is leading the investigation into the handling of the case since Smith was unconscious in Peoria police custody.
A video circulated on social media by Smith's sister appears to show Peoria police officers dragging a limp man to a police squad vehicle. Smith's sister identifies him as her brother.
A large crowd outside the Peoria Police Department at noon Wednesday protested the treatment of David Smith.
Tatyana Gray was Smith’s childhood friend. She spoke to WMBD Wednesday at the protest.
“It’s not right. We’re seeking justice for Dave is just like this is unbelievable. The video alone, even if you don’t have a heart, you would feel it, you know?" she said.
The Peoria NAACP is questioning if Smith was conscious when released into police custody by paramedics, when it was discovered he was in medical distress again, and what happened once his medical distress was discovered.
