Peoria Standard

May 16, 2025, Peoria, IL – A judge in Peoria County has approved the transfer of Robert E. Mister, a 15-year-old local resident, to adult court following charges of first-degree murder. Mister is accused of killing James Miller, aged 39, in December last year. The decision was made after the State's petition for the transfer was granted.

Mister has been held at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center since his arrest. Authorities have filed a petition to keep him detained, with a hearing scheduled for Monday.

The incident occurred on December 22 when police responded to a shooting call on E. Arcadia in East Bluff around 7:45 pm. Officers found Miller with multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to the hospital where he later died.

Witness statements led police to identify Mister as a suspect, resulting in his arrest on December 27. During questioning, Mister admitted to the shooting but claimed it was in self-defense.

Initially charged as a juvenile on December 30, authorities sought to move the case to adult court. The court considered factors such as Mister's background and previous rehabilitative services before making its decision.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.