Peoria Standard

On May 6, 2024, in Peoria, IL, 17-year-old Donald Grant pleaded guilty to Attempt Murder and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm for a shooting incident in Bartonville in February that resulted in two teens sustaining gunshot wounds. Grant was sentenced to 31 years in prison for the attempt murder charge and 20 years for the aggravated battery charge, to be served concurrently.

During the plea hearing, both victims of the shooting addressed Grant. One victim urged him to "be a better man," while the other expressed that "Grant had killed a part of him." Grant, when given the chance to speak, expressed remorse, stating, "I was sorry and felt bad for what had occurred."

The incident took place around 8 pm on February 20, when Bartonville Police responded to a shooting at 305 Treasure Street and found two 17-year-olds injured by gunshot wounds. The victims reported that they had gone to the location to sell cannabis to Grant and another individual, Evan Nettles, 20. A confrontation ensued inside the car, leading to Grant shooting the driver and then the passenger outside the vehicle. Nettles, who was present during the incident, has also been charged in connection with the case and is awaiting trial.

Both defendants admitted to the shooting and planning the robbery earlier that day when taken into custody. Nettles, facing charges of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Armed Robbery, is scheduled for trial in July.