Rayton Brock was 15 when he was found shot to death in an alley on North California Avenue in Peoria, Illinois, on October 22, 2021. He had been reported missing ten days earlier. The Peoria County Coroner said he likely died within minutes of being shot; officers found him unresponsive after a ShotSpotter alert and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center.

Rayton’s death was recorded as Peoria’s 26th homicide of 2021. Investigators say Rayton and another teenager, Dequwan Pruitt, had been involved in events before their deaths and were believed to have stolen money and drugs from an acquaintance, a possible motive mentioned in the investigation. Dequwan Pruitt was later shot and killed shortly after Rayton’s funeral. Despite tips and investigative leads, no arrests have been announced.

Rayton’s family and community mourned a young life cut short; the case remains unsolved. If anyone has information about Rayton, the events leading to October 22, 2021, or related shootings in the area, please come forward.