Peoria murder suspect held on $1.5M bond

PEORIA, Ill. (WAND) - A man accused of fatally shooting a woman in Peoria had bond set Tuesday at $1.5 million.

Joshua McGee, 35, was charged Tuesday by prosecutors with two first-degree murder counts in connection to the shooting of 37-year-old Ashley Tankersley. The alleged crime happened in the area of Philander Chase Route and Route 150 in Peoria County, NBC affiliate WEEK reports.

A coroner's report said Tankersley was instantly killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Her body was discovered in a ditch early on Sunday.

McGee was taken into custody Sunday afternoon, following a standoff that lasted 2 1/2 hours at Rail Splitter Rest Stop, located on southbound I-55 near Sherman.

McGee was first in court Tuesday via video conference. A judge found probable cause to hold McGee on charges and appointed a public defender for him.

McGee would have to pay 10 percent of the bond amount ($150,000) to be released from custody. He will next appear in court on Sept. 23.