I have no idea what this is about. I’ve checked all the usual news sources, but found nothing, so if you have any details, please share. From a press release:
Mayor Jim Ardis and Members of the Peoria City Council, will hold a news conference on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at 12:00 Noon. The news conference will be held in front of the Peoria Police Department, 600 S. W. Adams Street.
The news conference will address serious concerns relating to crime issues in Peoria, specifically addressing the Friday night shooting directed at our police officers and a recent drug bust in a central Peoria neighborhood.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who explained the situation in the comments section. As someone pointed out, the Journal Star has the story up on their site now:
Peoria police shot a man to death early this morning after the man allegedly opened fire at officers with a semi-automatic assault rifle.
The 27-year-old Peoria man, whose name has not been released, reportedly shot a patrol car near the intersection of Idaho and Montana streets about 12:45 a.m.
If you’re wondering where Idaho and Montana streets are, they’re on the south side, near Harrison Homes.
UPDATE 2: The press release also says they’re going to discuss “a recent drug bust in a central Peoria neighborhood.” That would probably be this one, reported by HOI News:
HOI 19 news has learned that three people arrested during a drug and weapons raid this week are out of jail without posting bond [emphasis mine] and neighbors say they are outraged…. Peoria city councilman Bob Manning, who represents that area, says many concerned neighbors have contacted him. He says city leaders are planning on sitting down with the police department tomorrow to discuss this situation further.
The part about the “Friday night shooting directed at our police officers” refers to a shooting incident on Montana which actually occurred this morning a little before 1 AM. Upon arrival, an officer apparently heard shots fired and noticed that his tire went flat (further investigation showed it had been shot at). Police then reported seeing a male suspect with an assault rifle, who fired at them. The suspect was then shot by police. I heard some of this on a scanner. Incidentally, last night was one of those nights when it sounded like the city was literally falling apart. People were acting like idiots, and no doubt felt it was justified because it was Halloween. It was really depressing to listen to.
I heard the report about the shooting on WMBD radio at about 9 a.m. this morning–so far I haven’t seen any other reports. When I looked on the Peoria Journal Star site (about an hour ago), there was no mention of the incident. I thought that was strange.
It’s on the PJS web site now. I wonder if they are going to use this to enter to the State’s Attorney’s race again
I’m not sure why PJS took so long to get it out. I know PPD had a public info. officer on scene ready to handle media inquiries, so it’s not like they were totally hush hush about the incident. When someone decides to fire off an AK in a densely populated urban area, it tends to draw attention.
I’m not sure why it took so long for the Journal to get it out. I know PPD had a public info. officer on scene ready to handle media inquiries, so it’s not like they were totally hush hush about the incident. When someone decides to fire off an AK in a densely populated urban area, it tends to draw attention.
oops, sorry about the duplicate post.
Are you sure it was an AK-47? Because the PJSTAR report mentions a semi-automatic assault rifle but doesn’t mention the type of rifle. And the AK if fully automatic. I don’t mean to sound nit-picky but its a little out of the ordinary for local criminals to be flashing around those kinds of weapons. Also thought it was weird from a reporting standpoint that if it was an AK they wouldn’t release the name and would improperly identify the type of rifle…
11 Bravo: From scanner traffic, I heard they were locating AK casings on the scene (techincally .762 cartridges) and lots of them. I may have misunderstood, but I’m sure it will all come out soon enough. You don’t here about these being used everyday, but PPD does occasionally recover AK’s and SKS rifles.
AK’s or AK-style weapons such as the SKS or the Galil fire the 7.62mm round.
Does is really matter — AK’s or AK-style? What a sad day for Peoria. Another recent post bemoans the fact that BVA is not supporting the Renaissance District and the project appears to be fizzling. I also thought the idea of a math & science academy located in the Bradley area was a fantastic one with all the lovely homes and property in the area, the combination would perhaps entice more families to move in . . . but who is going to be willing to make the leap of faith to settle in the area even if the above projects become a reality with AK fire occurring just over the hill. I just don’t understand how Peoria has turned out so wrong???
“I just don’t understand how Peoria has turned out so wrong??? Left by Frustrated”
Why should it have turned out any better (or different)? What has the people of Peoria done for those who feel their best options are to steal, sell and use drugs and / or kill?
Anonymous: My bet is that it will be a LaHood fundraiser relating to the three be let out without bail; hope Lyons is there to explain.
Unrelated note – Thomas Jefferson school is on fire.
Speaking of fires, I just noticed that there apparently was a fire on Main Street near Sheridan–building next to Running Central. I just noticed it has I was coming up the hill from church–don’t think I read about it or heard it on the news.
Sharon — no fire on Main. The owner of the building(s) next to Running Central is replacing the front facade.
Thanks, C.J., for the info–I just passed by again and figured out that it probably wasn’t a fire. At first glance, that’s what it looked like.
This may be slightly off-topic… but is it fair to call a semi-automatic weapon an “assault rifle”?