A CITY IN MOURNING

With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, the Peoria community is mourning the tragic loss of Jarvis Allison Jr. , 17, of West Millman Street, who was fatally shot Sunday evening at Bradley Park during a wave of gun violence that left multiple teens injured across the city. The young man’s death—one of three separate shooting incidents to rock Peoria in a single night—has sent shockwaves through families, schools, and neighborhoods already weary of bloodshed.

Jarvis Allison Jr. was not a name that appeared in police blotters before Sunday. He was, by the accounts of those who loved him, a junior at Peoria High School, a young man who dreamed of graduating, of making his mother proud, of escaping the cycle of violence that has claimed too many of his generation. Instead, his name now joins a devastating list: another teenager lost to gunfire on a spring evening when he should have been worrying about exams, summer jobs, or who was winning the basketball game.

The fatal shooting at Bradley Park—located in the 1300 block of North Park Road—occurred shortly after 7:15 p.m. Sunday. But that was neither the first nor the last eruption of gunfire that evening. Earlier, around 5:30 p.m., two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17, were shot at Stadium Park on East Lake Avenue. Then, around 6:30 p.m., bullets flew again in the 6700 block of North Mountello, striking a vehicle and a home. By the time the sun rose Monday, Peoria was left grappling with a single question: How did this happen in one night?

—

PART TWO: THE SHOOTING AT BRADLEY PARK – WHAT WE KNOW

According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Jarvis Allison Jr. was initially found conscious after being shot at Bradley Park. First responders arrived to find chaos: multiple individuals fleeing on foot, vehicles screeching away, and the wounded teenager lying on the grass, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head.

Officials said Allison’s condition rapidly declined in the moments following the shooting. Despite the urgency of paramedics, who worked to stabilize him at the scene, he was rushed to OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center in grave condition. Medical staff fought for hours, but at approximately 11:40 p.m. , Jarvis Allison Jr. was pronounced dead.

Coroner Harwood released a brief but emotional statement early Monday morning: “A 17-year-old young man has lost his life to senseless violence. My office extends its deepest condolences to the family of Jarvis Allison Jr. We will continue to work alongside Peoria Police to determine the exact circumstances that led to this tragedy.”

Peoria Police said officers arriving at the scene observed multiple individuals fleeing on foot and in vehicles. Investigators later located Jarvis Allison Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound to the head—an injury that initially was mischaracterized by some early reports as potentially non-life-threatening. Tragically, head wounds can be deceptive, and within an hour, it became clear that the teenager was fighting for his life.

Preliminary findings indicate that a large group had gathered at Bradley Park for an unrelated event—possibly a birthday celebration or informal gathering, though police have not confirmed the nature of the event—when violence erupted between two groups who began shooting at each other. Officers later confirmed multiple locations where gunfire had occurred as they canvassed the area, suggesting that the shooting was not a single exchange but a moving, chaotic firefight that sent bystanders scrambling for cover.

Witnesses who spoke to local news described a scene of panic. “We heard maybe six or seven shots, then people started running everywhere,” said Darnell T. Washington, 34, who was walking his dog at the park’s perimeter. “I saw a group of kids running toward the parking lot. Then I saw a boy on the ground. I didn’t know he was hit in the head until later. It’s just awful. He was just a kid.”

—

PART THREE: THE STADIUM PARK SHOOTING – TWO TEENS INJURED

The violence did not begin at Bradley Park. Hours earlier, around 5:30 p.m. , police responded to Stadium Park on East Lake Avenue for a report of multiple juveniles shot. When officers arrived, they found two teenage boys—one 16 years old, the other 17—suffering from gunshot wounds.

According to police reports, the 16-year-old sustained a wound to the chest, a critical injury that required immediate surgery. The 17-year-old was shot in the upper arm, a less severe but still traumatic wound. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of Monday morning, both teens were listed in stable condition, though the 16-year-old’s recovery is expected to be lengthy.

Investigators later reported that one of the teens—the 17-year-old—was found in possession of a stolen firearm. Police have not disclosed whether that weapon was used in the shooting or if the teen was a victim or a participant in the exchange of gunfire. That discovery has complicated the investigation, as authorities work to determine who fired first, who was armed, and whether the Stadium Park shooting is connected to the later violence at Bradley Park.

Sergeant Lisa M. Tran of the Peoria Police Department addressed the media early Monday: “We are investigating all three incidents as potentially related, though we have not confirmed a direct connection at this time. What we can say is that Sunday evening saw an unacceptable level of gun violence involving minors. That is our focus. We are interviewing witnesses, collecting forensic evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding areas.”

One witness at Stadium Park, Cynthia R. Ortega, described seeing teenagers running “in every direction” after the shots rang out. “I was driving past on East Lake and saw a group of boys suddenly scatter. Then I heard two pops. I pulled into a parking lot and called 911. It’s terrifying to think this is happening on a Sunday evening when families are out.”

—

PART FOUR: THE MOUNTELLO INCIDENT – BULLETS FLY, BUT NO INJURIES

The third incident of the evening occurred around 6:30 p.m. in the 6700 block of North Mountello, a quiet residential neighborhood not far from Donovan Park. Officers were called to the scene for another report of shots fired. When they arrived, they discovered evidence of gunfire striking a vehicle parked in a driveway and a nearby home’s exterior wall.

Remarkably, no injuries were reported in the Mountello incident. Residents told police they heard three to four gunshots and then saw a dark-colored sedan speeding away from the area. Shell casings were recovered from the street, and police have canvassed the neighborhood for doorbell camera footage.

“We were sitting down for dinner when we heard the pops,” said Harold J. Bricker, 68, who has lived on North Mountello for 22 years. “My wife thought it was fireworks. I knew better. We hit the floor and called 911. This used to be a quiet street. I don’t know what’s happening to this city.”

Police have not confirmed whether the Mountello shooting is connected to the incidents at Stadium Park or Bradley Park. However, the proximity in time—all three occurred within approximately three hours—has led investigators to examine whether rival groups were moving across the city, engaging in multiple exchanges of gunfire.

—

PART FIVE: THE VICTIM – REMEMBERING JARVIS ALLISON JR.

Behind the police reports and the crime scene tape was a life. Jarvis Allison Jr. , known to friends as “JJ,” was a 17-year-old junior at Peoria High School. He lived on West Millman Street with his mother, Denise Allison, and his younger sister, Makayla, age 12.

In a tearful interview Monday morning, Denise Allison struggled to find words. “He was my baby. He was not a gang member. He was not a troublemaker. He was a boy who loved basketball, who helped his sister with her math homework, who was supposed to walk across the stage next year. And now I have to plan a funeral.”

Friends described Jarvis as quiet, good-natured, and fiercely loyal. Trevon M. Ellis, 17, who had known Jarvis since elementary school, said: “JJ was the guy who would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He wasn’t about drama. He liked playing 2K, listening to Drake, and hanging out at the mall. I don’t understand why this happened to him.”

Jarvis Allison Jr. was also a member of the Peoria High School JROTC program, where he had found a sense of purpose and discipline. His instructor, Major (Ret.) Robert L. Henderson, issued a statement: “Jarvis was a young man of character. He showed up early, stayed late, and helped newer cadets with their drills. His loss is a blow to our program and to our hearts. We will honor his memory at our upcoming award ceremony.”

The Peoria Public Schools district released a statement Sunday night: “We are devastated by the loss of Jarvis Allison Jr., a member of our Peoria High School family. Crisis counselors will be available at the school Monday morning for students and staff who need support. Our hearts are with the Allison family.”

—

PART SIX: ARRESTS AND INVESTIGATION STATUS

While police have not confirmed any formal arrests, witnesses and a 25News crew observed a person in handcuffs at the Bradley Park scene Sunday night. As of Monday morning, authorities have not clarified whether a suspect is formally in custody or whether that individual is connected to the shooting of Jarvis Allison Jr.

Peoria Police Chief Eric D. Jones addressed the public during a press conference Monday afternoon: “We have persons of interest in custody. However, our investigation is active and ongoing. We are not prepared to announce charges at this time. We ask for patience as we work to ensure that justice is served for Jarvis and his family.”

Chief Jones also addressed the broader issue of youth gun violence: “We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. We need parents, community leaders, faith institutions, and young people themselves to step forward. Last night, three separate incidents involved teenagers with guns. That is a crisis.”

The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office has assigned a prosecutor to review evidence as it comes in. Sources close to the investigation indicate that authorities are reviewing cell phone videos taken by bystanders, which may have captured the moments before and after the gunfire.

—

PART SEVEN: COMMUNITY REACTION AND CALLS FOR CHANGE

The series of shootings has left the Peoria community shaken and grieving, particularly the loss of 17-year-old Jarvis Allison Jr. , whose life was cut short in a moment of chaos and violence. On Monday morning, a makeshift memorial appeared at Bradley Park near the spot where he was shot. Candles, teddy bears, balloons, and handwritten notes now rest against a large oak tree.

One note, written in a child’s handwriting, read: “RIP JJ. You always shared your snacks with me at the park. I will miss you.”

Another, from a classmate, said: “We were supposed to graduate together. I don’t know how to do this without you.”

Pastor Marvin L. Thomas of New Bethel Baptist Church organized a community prayer vigil for Monday evening at Bradley Park. “We will not let fear win,” Thomas said. “We will gather, we will pray, and we will demand better for our children. Jarvis should be alive. His mother should be planning his prom, not his funeral.”

Local activist Tanya R. Williams called for immediate action: “How many more teenagers have to die? We need a ceasefire. We need street outreach. We need intervention programs. And we need every parent to check their child’s backpack for guns. This is a public health emergency.”

—

PART EIGHT: WHAT WE KNOW – A DETAILED TIMELINE

To help readers understand the sequence of events, here is a confirmed timeline based on police statements and witness accounts:

· 5:30 p.m. Sunday – Peoria Police respond to Stadium Park (East Lake Avenue) for reports of shots fired. Two teenage boys (ages 16 and 17) are found injured. One has a chest wound; the other is shot in the upper arm. Both are hospitalized. A stolen firearm is recovered at the scene.
· 6:30 p.m. Sunday – Police are called to the 6700 block of North Mountello for another report of gunfire. A vehicle and a home are struck. No injuries reported.
· 7:15 p.m. Sunday – Multiple 911 calls report gunfire at Bradley Park (1300 block of North Park Road). Officers arrive to find a large group fleeing. Jarvis Allison Jr. , 17, is located with a gunshot wound to the head. He is initially conscious but rapidly declines.
· 7:30 p.m. Sunday – Paramedics transport Jarvis Allison Jr. to OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center.
· 11:40 p.m. Sunday – Coroner Jamie Harwood pronounces Jarvis Allison Jr. dead.
· Monday morning – Police confirm they have persons of interest in custody but no formal charges announced. Crisis counselors deployed to Peoria High School.

—

PART NINE: HOW TO HELP AND STAY INFORMED

The Allison family has established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses. As of Monday afternoon, over $12,000 had been raised of a $25,000 goal. Donations can be made by searching “Justice for Jarvis Allison Jr.” on the platform.

Additionally, the Peoria Police Department is asking anyone with information about any of the three shootings to contact the Peoria Police Investigations Division at (309) 494-8356. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000.

A community meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library North Branch to discuss youth violence prevention and resources for families.

—

PART TEN: A FINAL WORD

Jarvis Allison Jr. should have turned 18 this summer. He should have started his senior year in the fall. He should have grown up, fallen in love, argued with his sister, made his mother proud, and found his place in the world. Instead, his name is now etched into the grim ledger of Peoria’s gun violence epidemic—a statistic. But he was never just a statistic. He was a son. A brother. A friend. A young man with a future.

Loved ones are now left mourning a teenager whose future was stolen far too soon, as investigators continue working to determine how multiple shootings unfolded across the city in a single evening. The answers will not bring Jarvis back. But perhaps they can prevent the next family from receiving the phone call that Denise Allison received Sunday night—the call that no parent should ever have to answer.

Peoria Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing as they continue to gather evidence and piece together the circumstances surrounding the deadly incidents. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Rest in peace, Jarvis Allison Jr. You are gone. You are not forgotten.