Two Charged with Weapons Offenses, One For a Fully Automatic Weapon

January 31, 2025, Peoria, IL - An adult male, Zarion Harris, 21, and a 17-year-old male have been charged in adult and juvenile court with weapons offenses after being caught with guns near downtown Peoria; one of the guns was a fully automatic weapon.

Around 3 pm on Tuesday, officers attempted an investigative stop on a group of males in the 800 block of NE Jefferson. When officers approached, the group split up and fled in different directions. Harris fled inside a nearby store, where he was taken into custody. When officers reviewed their surveillance video, it showed Harris trying to hide a gun on one of the store's shelves. The gun was recovered, and Harris was charged yesterday with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. During his detention hearing, the State's Petition to Detain was granted, and Harris will remain in custody until his trial.

The minor was found hiding behind a garbage can at a house in the 400 block of Morgan. A gun was recovered on the ground where the minor was hiding. This gun was equipped with an auto sear, or "switch," that converts it to a fully automatic weapon. The minor was charged Wednesday with Unlawful Use of Weapons. He will remain in the custody of the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, and the State has filed a Petition to Transfer, requesting that he be tried as an adult.

One of the other fleeing males, who was not located, discarded a gun in his flight path. The gun was recovered and was also equipped with a switch. This gun had previously been reported stolen.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.

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