Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser and Police Chief Ken Scarlette announced First Degree Murder charges against two juveniles from an incident in which 16-year-old Keyon Day was shot multiple times and later died.
Springfield Police Department detectives and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office worked together to investigate and charge those responsible for this violent crime. The charged juveniles are currently in custody on unrelated offenses.
Sixteen-year-old Dremone Patterson is charged as an adult with First Degree Murder, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Street Gang Member. Patterson is alleged to have fired the shots that killed Day using a stolen firearm from a stolen vehicle driven by a 15-year-old.
The 15-year-old driver will be petitioned to be transferred to adult court and is charged with First Degree Murder, under accountability, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Street Gang Member, and Obstructing Justice for attempting to dispose of the firearm. The case remains under investigation, and additional charges and arrests are likely. The firearm used in this crime has been recovered.
State’s Attorney Milhiser said, "Violent crime committed by individuals no matter their age in our community will not be tolerated and will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”
Chief Scarlette adds, "We will continue to focus on removing illegal guns from the streets, protecting the residents of Springfield and hold accountable those who break the law.”
Anyone with information concerning this shooting is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at 217.788.8311 and/or Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217.788.8427.