Leigh C. Herring, a 39-year-old man from Peoria, Illinois, was found dead at his West Thames Drive home on December 30, 2020, with a single gunshot wound to the head. The initial autopsy reported no other injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police had been called for a reported disturbance between a man and a woman and discovered Herring when they arrived.

Herring was a veteran who served in the Illinois Army National Guard and was injured during a 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. He worked for Caterpillar Inc. and later as a security guard. A 17-year-old male was arrested by Peoria police and charged with first-degree murder; further details about the juvenile suspect were withheld because of his age. The Peoria County State’s Attorney was considering whether to seek adult charges.

Friends and colleagues remembered Herring as gentle, calm and dedicated to family. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact authorities.