2 arrested for January murder of Decatur teen

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Two people, including a 16-year-old, have been arrested in connection with the January murder of a Decatur teenager.

On Jan. 28, 2025, at noon, the Decatur Police Department was called to the 500 block of S. Church St. for a shooting. Officers found 19-year-old Izreal B. Lewis in a parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

Lewis was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division processed the scene and recovered 17 shell casings. They conducted multiple interviews and executed two search warrants at residences in the 2500 block of E. North Street and 1700 block of N. 34th Street. The searches resulted in the seizure of two firearms, ammunition, and electronic devices.

Since the homicide, detectives have conducted numerous interviews. Probable cause was established to arrest Dana E. Bond Jr. 32 and a 16-year-old juvenile for First Degree Murder.

On March 27, the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force located Dana Bond Jr. at a residence on 7th Drive in Decatur. He was then booked into the Macon County Jail.

Ballard, already in custody at the Macon County Jail on a separate weapons charge, has also been charged with First Degree Murder.

After consulting with the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office, they will file First Degree Murder charges against the 16-year-old juvenile as he is currently detained in a juvenile facility on a separate weapons charge.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (217) 424-2734 or Crimestoppers at (217) 423-8477.