A 41-year-old Peoria man, Brandon M. Lewis, was fatally shot by police on August 5, 2025, after officers responded to a report of a suspicious person allegedly urinating in public near Northeast Glen Oak Avenue and Prospect Road in the city’s East Bluff neighborhood.
Authorities say Lewis, holding a wooden bat, swung at officers during the encounter, striking Officer Da’Monte Williams. In response, one officer discharged a single shot and a Taser by Officer Veronica Orozco. Lewis ran for a few minutes but collapsed in a neighboring backyard, where he was arrested, handcuffed, and provided first aid. Though life-saving measures were taken, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A tweet from X.
Peoria police said they were responding to a 5:15 p.m. call about a “suspicious person.” When they arrived, Lewis was seated on a curb holding the bat. Bodycam footage, released by Illinois State Police (ISP) on September 5, shows officers ordering Lewis to stand up.
Moments later, Lewis rose, swung the bat, and struck Officer Williams. A shot was fired, and Lewis ran from the scene before officers pursued and restrained him.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood later confirmed Lewis died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The incident is under independent investigation by the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation, Zone 4. Results will be forwarded to the Peoria County State’s Attorney for review and potential charges.
Police Chief Eric Echevarria placed Officers Williams and Orozco on critical incident leave, calling the move “standard protocol.” ISP released the bodycam video after consulting both Lewis’s family and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Unanswered questions remain, including which officer fired the fatal shot and why Peoria’s mental health co-responder unit was not dispatched.
Lewis’s mother, Ruby Harris, said her son had battled mental health challenges for years and criticized the police response:
“Brandon needed help, not bullets,”
Harris told reporters.
“Why wasn’t someone there who understood mental health crises?”
She has now set up a GoFundMe page for funeral costs and called for “full accountability and transparency.”
Community activists have also expressed worries about tardy public disclosure and denial of requests for officer and 911 calls under the FOIA.
The case adds to rising attention concerning police use of force amidst mental illness crises. According to Mapping Police Violence, approximately 25% of those shot and killed by police in US every year have been recorded to have mentally problems.
The case has been criticised by those who cite deficiencies in crisis intervention procedures and question the use of lethal force in minor policing interactions such as open urination.
The ISP investigation will provide significant details, including who shot the firearm, whether policy was followed, and whether criminal charges will be pursued. The results will later be reviewed by the Peoria County State’s Attorney.
For now, the department faces mounting pressure over mental health response protocols, transparency, and the role of lethal force in minor offense encounters.
