Lawrence Edward Jones was 44 when he was shot and killed in Peoria on July 11, 2024. According to Peoria police, officers conducting a traffic stop near West Forrest Hill heard gunfire around 2 a.m. and found a crashed vehicle in the 2100 block of West Forrest Hill with Jones inside, suffering a gunshot wound to the back. He was taken to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center and pronounced dead at 2:26 a.m.; the Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Jones likely died instantly from rapid blood loss.

Jones was born July 8, 1980, in Peoria and had worked at Caterpillar. He is remembered as a homeowner who enjoyed shopping, music, travel and casinos, and as someone who hoped to help his brother start a business. He is survived by his girlfriend Camella Stewart, three sons Shawnterius, Jeramiya and La’Corein Jones, two daughters Avaianna Smith (ViVi) and Maryia Jones, seven sisters, four brothers, six grandchildren and many other relatives and close friends. No suspect information was available at the time and the shooting remained under investigation.

If anyone knew Lawrence or has information about the shooting near West Forrest Hill on July 11, please come forward to assist the investigation.