Peoria Standard

An adult and a minor have been charged with weapons offenses in Peoria, Illinois, following an incident involving firearms near downtown. Zarion Harris, 21, and a 17-year-old male were apprehended after officers attempted to stop a group of males on NE Jefferson.

When officers approached the group around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, they fled in different directions. Harris was captured inside a nearby store where surveillance footage showed him attempting to hide a gun on one of the shelves. The firearm was recovered, leading to Harris being charged with "Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon." He will remain in custody until his trial as the State’s Petition to Detain was granted during his detention hearing.

The minor was discovered hiding behind a garbage can at a residence on Morgan Street. A firearm found nearby had been modified with an auto sear, converting it into a fully automatic weapon. He faces charges of "Unlawful Use of Weapons" and is held at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. The State has filed for the minor to be tried as an adult.

Another fleeing individual discarded a gun along his escape route; this weapon also had an auto sear and had been reported stolen previously.

The investigation continues, and authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.