Man, 20, convicted of murder in shooting of Peoria man at gas station in 2021
PEORIA − A jury took more than four hours to find a man guilty in connection with a fatal shooting in Peoria that occurred while the victim was sitting in a car at a gas pump.
Arenza Brown, 20, of Peoria, was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the death of Joshua Perkins on May 9, 2021. Circuit Judge Kevin Lyons revoked Brown's bond as well.
Brown now faces at least 20 years and possibly up to 60 behind bars when he's sentenced in October.
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The shooting was the result of a hastily planned robbery. Court records indicate that Brown and Perkins knew each other and had seen one other at the MacArthur Shell gas station, 200 N. MacArthur Highway, around 11:30 p.m.
Brown allegedly walked up to Perkins' vehicle and asked if he was selling marijuana. At one point, the two were talking about music and Brown walked back to a car he had arrived in. There, according to court records, he commented on a large amount of money seen on Perkins' person.
Brown went back over, initiated a conversation and, at some point, put a gun to Perkins' neck. A struggle ensued, and the gun went off. Another man, Demarian D. Palmer had gone around to the back of Perkins' vehicle in an apparent attempt to get into the back seat, but the door was locked, court records indicate.
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Palmer, 18, is also charged with murder and his case is set for trial in late January.
Both Brown and Palmer ran back to their cars and fled. Both men were later arrested with firearms in their vehicle.
Perkins was driven by private vehicle to UnityPoint-Health Methodist, where he died less than an hour later.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria man found guilty in deadly botched robbery at gas station
