Second 14-year-old arrested in murder of 63-year-old Decatur man

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A second 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of a 63-year-old Decatur man.

DPD arrested this teen Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and attempted criminal sexual assault.

The juvenile is being detained at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. He is also on aftercare (parole) through the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

Decatur Police also confirmed new information about the case to WAND News Thursday. They said, prior to the murder, a 36-year-old woman was sexually assaulted. Police said the first 14-year-old they arrested for the murder will also be charged with criminal sexual assault shortly. The second teen's charges are first degree murder and attempted criminal sexual assault.

As a result of the second teen's arrest, the Decatur Police Department executed a search warrant in the 800 block of W. Elm Street and two handguns were recovered. The handguns will be sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory for analysis.

On July 8, just after midnight, the Decatur Police Department responded to a residence in the 1300 block of N. Monroe Street regarding a battery.

Officers found 63-year-old John O. Staley dead with suspected bruising to the facial area and a gunshot wound.

Decatur Police respond to 1357 North Monroe 7-8-24 — Police on scene for a shooting in the 1300 block of N. Monroe St. of Decatur on July 8, 2024.

Detectives found a shell casing near the victim.

DPD executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of N. Monroe Street and arrested a 14-year-old boy for First Degree Murder. He was detained at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. He was also aftercare (parole) through the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

Due to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Decatur Police Department cannot release the name of the 14-year-olds.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Decatur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (217) 424-2734 or Crimestoppers at (217) 423-8477.