Peoria Standard

January 6, 2025, Peoria, IL – Evan Nettles, aged 21, entered a guilty plea for charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm during a court hearing today. The charges stem from a February 2024 shooting incident in Bartonville that resulted in injuries to two teenagers. Nettles received a prison sentence of 30 years for the armed robbery charge and an additional 17.5 years for the aggravated battery charge. Both sentences will be served concurrently.

The incident occurred around 8 pm on February 20, 2024. Bartonville Police were called to a location at 305 Treasure Street where they discovered two injured teenagers, both aged 17. According to the victims' statements to police, they had gone to the area intending to sell cannabis to Nettles and Donald Grant, who was then 18 years old. During the transaction, Grant allegedly entered the back seat of their car and brandished a handgun. A struggle over the weapon ensued before Grant shot the driver and took possession of the cannabis. After exiting the vehicle, he reportedly shot the passenger as well. Meanwhile, Nettles stood outside holding a rifle throughout the incident.

Following the shooting, both Nettles and Grant fled but were later apprehended by authorities. Upon arrest, they admitted their involvement in both planning and executing the robbery earlier that day.

Donald Grant previously pleaded guilty on May 6, 2024, to charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm; he was sentenced to serve 31 years in prison.