PEORIA, Ill. – The man allegedly behind two shootings earlier this month in Peoria was ordered to stay in jail at a hearing on Thursday.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 21-year-old Omarvelous Blakes appeared in court on Thursday after his arrest Wednesday.
Blakes is charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and one count of Armed Robbery.
The first shooting occurred the evening of May 3rd in South Peoria, where a 19-year-old woman was shot in the leg. The woman suffered a graze wound. Prosecutors say she reportedly later identified Blakes as the shooter in a police lineup.
The second shooting occurred May 8th in Central Peoria, where police found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to his face.
A witness reportedly told police that she was sitting in a vehicle with the victim when Blakes entered it. Blakes and the victim had been communicating with each other and arranged to meet. Blake allegedly attempted to steal a firearm from the victim when he entered the vehicle, then shot him before fleeing the scene with the firearm.
