A 39-year-old Bloomington man faces aggravated battery charges after allegedly punching another man who later died of his injuries.
Anthony R. Gillespie allegedly punched the victim, James G. Noplos, 44, of Fergus Falls, Minn., outside a hotel in south Bloomington at around 12:50 a.m. June 25, Bloomington Police said. Noplos was critically injured and hospitalized in Peoria, and declared dead on Wednesday, police said. His cause of death was blunt force head trauma.
Gillespie faces charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and obstruction of justice. He’s being held at the McLean County jail on $500,000 bond.
Surveillance video shows Gillespie striking Noplos during an altercation outside the hotel, prosecutors said. Gillespie’s girlfriend told police they were at the hotel to pick up her children, and that they didn’t know Noplos prior to the confrontation. Noplos was in town for a family event and staying at the hotel, prosecutors said.
The incident remains under investigation. Those with information should contact Bloomington Police at (309) 434-2366.
