The Kewanee Police Department released the name of the victim who was fatally stabbed at Fairview Homes on Thursday.
The victim in the incident is identified as Demario R. Brooms, 47, Kewanee. The 17-year-old juvenile arrested Thursday for allegedly stabbing Brooms to death during a fight is being charged as an adult.
According to court documents, the 17-year-old male, Dareon S. Baker appeared in the custody of the Mary Davis Home at the Henry County Courthouse Friday for arraignment.
Baker was formally charged with first degree murder, a Class M felony, and aggravated battery/great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony. A public defender was appointed by the Court to represent Baker.
Attorney for Baker, Lance Camp, waived Baker’s right to a preliminary hearing and formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty, a request for jury trial and an order for preservation of evidence.
The Court granted the State’s petition to deny Baker pretrial release. Baker was placed into the custody of the Henry County Jail.
Baker was arrested Thursday, Jan. 2, after the Kewanee police were called to Fairview Homes on a report of a stabbing that took place during a fight.
Upon arrival, officers found Brooms lying on the blacktop roadway in Fairview, bleeding from his injuries. Officers, along with Kewanee Fire Department EMS personnel, immediately began providing medical assistance. Brooms was transported to OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
After an investigation, police arrested Baker, who was then transferred to the Mary Davis Home. Baker will appear in court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 16.
In Illinois, a Class M felony is punishable by a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 60 years in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The Kewanee Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Paulsen or Investigations Sergeant Peed at (309) 853-1911.
