Peoria Standard

Tramier J. Pate, 25, has been sentenced to 85 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the murder of 14-year-old Omarius Gates. The sentencing took place in Peoria on July 30, following a jury’s guilty verdict for first-degree murder in May.

During the hearing, Omarius’s mother spoke to the court about her loss. She described her son as “everything” to her and said her world is now shattered. “Pate didn’t just commit a crime,” she said. “He tore apart lives, a family’s peace, and a mother’s heart.” She added that no words can fully capture the heartbreak of losing a child in such a violent way.

The judge addressed Pate directly during sentencing: “Omarious deserved more consideration than you gave him.”

The incident occurred on June 26, 2023, at The Woodlands Apartment Complex where both Pate and Omarius were part of a group gathered for basketball. Afterward, as they walked toward a store, Pate approached from behind and attempted to rob Omarius before shooting him once in the back.

Pate must serve his full sentence without parole.

Peoria County schools have seen significant student enrollment figures in recent years. In the 2022-23 school year, there were 27,081 students enrolled with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 across county schools (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Home.aspx). Teacher absenteeism was recorded at 32.3% during this period—lower than the statewide average of 35.6% (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Home.aspx).

Enrollment data also show that among Peoria County's 64 schools, Peoria High School had the highest number of Black students enrolled with a total of 798; Dunlap High School had the largest white student enrollment at 873; Lincoln School led Hispanic enrollment with 218 students; and Richwoods High School had the most multiracial students at 182 (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Home.aspx).