David Babcock, a 73-year-old man from Peoria, Illinois, died on September 27, 2018, from complications of a gunshot wound he suffered on January 10, 2018. On that day he was in a detached garage behind a Malone Street residence working on a car for a 22-year-old acquaintance named Kamry Harris when an unknown assailant entered and opened fire. Harris was killed instantly by gunshot wounds to the head and torso; Babcock was shot in the mouth, an injury described as likely intended to eliminate witnesses. He survived the initial attack but was left with severe injuries, limited mobility and speech, and spent about eight months in medical care before dying.

The Peoria Police Department classified Babcock’s death as a homicide and opened an investigation; no arrests have been announced and the case remains open. His family remembers him as kind and helpful and has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in finding the shooter. If anyone has information about the January 10, 2018 shooting behind the Malone Street residence, please come forward.