Decatur teenager accused of killing father, denied pretrial release

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Court records show that an 18-year-old arrested for a deadly Decatur shooting in January was denied pretrial release.

Zachariah Wikoff, 46, was shot and killed on January 18 near the intersection of East Wood Street and South Maffit Street. On May 14, Decatur police arrested his son, 18-year-old Xzavier Wikoff, in connection with the shooting.

According to a sworn statement of Xzavier's arrest, detectives spoke with a man who was with Zachariah in a vacant home the night of the shooting.

Police said the man told officers that about a half hour before the shooting, Xzavier showed up to the home with a gun.

The man said Zachariah and Xzavier started talking and eventually arguing before Xzavier walked out of the home, according to the sworn.

The man told police that Zachariah followed Xzavier outside, and a short time later, the man heard a gunshot. He later went outside and called police after he found Zachariah lying in the roadway, according to the sworn.

Xzavier told police that he shot Zachariah out of fear of being attacked during their argument. He also told police he didn't call 911 after the shooting because he was afraid of being arrested.

According to court documents, Xzavier was denied pretrial release Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is set for August 19.