PEORIA, Illinois – Two men have been taken into custody in connection with the death of an 18-year-old in a failed robbery linked to a Facebook Marketplace transaction.
Sontarrius D. Williams, 27, was apprehended after being questioned at the Peoria Police Department on Wednesday. Jaylyn J. Branscumb, 18, was arrested Thursday in the 2800 block of West Humboldt Avenue.
According to the authorities, Williams and Branscumb were involved in a failed robbery attempt that resulted in the shooting and killing of 18-year-old Marcus Whitehead on Jan. 15. The incident occurred after Whitehead, Branscumb, and another individual lured two men to Peoria under the guise of selling a vehicle, only to attempt to rob them.
The police have confirmed that they are not currently seeking any additional suspects in the case. It was reported that one of the targeted individuals responded to the robbery attempt by using their licensed firearm, resulting in an exchange of gunfire and Whitehead’s tragic death.
The individual who defended themselves with the firearm has not been charged with a crime in connection to the shooting.
The tragic outcome serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers associated with online marketplace transactions and highlights the need for caution and awareness when engaging in such transactions. Authorities are urging individuals to meet in public, well-lit areas when conducting transactions with unfamiliar parties to minimize the risk of falling victim to criminal activities.
This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of ensuring one’s safety and taking necessary precautions to prevent falling victim to robbery and violence in these types of transactions. The authorities are continuing their investigation into this case and are working to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.