Bloomington Police say the deaths of four people found dead at a home on Lee Street on Sunday were the result of a triple murder-suicide.
According to a joint news release from the Bloomington Police Department and the McLean County Coroner’s Office issued late Monday, 33-year-old Christoper Simmons of Bloomington died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he shot and killed his girlfriend, Chelsea Lusher, 31, of Bloomington; Lusher’s biological son, 13-year-old Armoni Bennett of Bloomington; and a friend of Lusher, 31-year-old Trina Hollings of Normal.
Lusher, Hollings and Bennett each died of multiple gunshot wounds according to preliminary autopsy results. The coroner's report noted no other injuries.
The four deaths mark one of Bloomington-Normal’s worst mass killings in decades.
Police said another resident of the home discovered the bodies on Sunday and immediately called police. Officers responded shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday.
"We appreciate the community's patience as we worked diligently with our public safety partners and the community to gather facts prior to releasing details. This slight delay is necessary and out of respect for justice and the families of the victims,” Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said in a statement.
Police have said since Sunday afternoon that the case was an isolated incident and posed no threat to the public.
Bloomington Police said the gun used in the killings was recovered at the scene and under Simmons’ body. They said Simmons legally bought the gun in 2021, but that his Illinois Firearm Owners Identification [FOID] card was revoked, barring him from legally buying or possessing firearms.
McLean County court records online show Simmons pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful use of a firearm in 2022 as part of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 18 months conditional discharge, which was due to expire on March 25. Simmons was not the subject to an active or previous order of protection, the McLean County circuit clerk confirmed.
The names of the victims were released after family, friends and other community members attended a candlelight vigil outside the home at 914 ½ N. Lee St. where the victims lived.
District 87 confirmed earlier Monday that one of the victims was a student at Bloomington Junior High School. The district brought in additional counselors and social workers.
It's not clear what led up to the killings, though loved ones at the vigil suggested a volatile relationship may have played a factor.
Bloomington Police also took the opportunity to urge anyone who is experiencing domestic violence or abuse to call police or a local domestic violence organization. A 24-hour domestic violence hotline is available by (309) 827-7070. Domestic violence community resources are available at 211Illinois.org.
The department said the circumstances behind the case remain under investigation and that anyone with information is asked to contact its Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit at (309) 434-2963 or ciau@cityblm.org.
