A McLean County jury has found a Georgia man guilty in the 2022 shooting death of a Peoria teen at a house party in Bloomington.
Tomiyale Anderson, 22, of Hampton, Georgia, was convicted Monday before Judge Jason Chambers. A jury deliberated after closing arguments Monday morning, returning the verdict just before 3 p.m.
Jurors heard testimony placing Anderson at a residence in the 400 block of East Mill Street in Bloomington on April 8, 2022, where prosecutors said he shot and killed 17-year-old Kanye Stowers.
Stowers was due to graduate from Richwoods High School a month after his death just after midnight on April 9, 2022. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene. An autopsy report indicated he died of a gunshot wound.
According to a statement from McLean County State's Attorney Erika Reynolds, police found two 9mm bullet casings at the scene and an unfired 9mm bullet in front of the Mill Street residence. Investigators determined the casings were fired from the same gun.
Reynolds said grainy video and witness interviews placed Anderson at the scene. Police learned Anderson was part of a group of 4-6 people who wanted Stowers' gun, "which was actually a look-a-lik BB gun," Reynolds said.
Cell phone data showed Anderson's friend video calling him from where Anderson allegedly discarded the gun used to kill Stowers. A message from the same friend to Anderson said "don't say [expletive] blood abt unit."
Officers determined the friend often referred to a firearm as a "unit," Reynolds said.
Several weeks later, officers located the car Anderson allegedly used to flee the scene and found an unfired 9mm bullet on the floor of the driver's rear side. The driver of that car admitted Anderson was in the vehicle, Reynolds said.
Forensics and searches of Anderson's phone messages and social media were used as corroborating evidence in the case.
"While it was a long, grueling process to bring Anderson to justice, let this verdict remind everyone that law enforcement within McLean County will relentlessly seek justice," Reynolds said.
Anderson, who has been in McLean County custody since his arrest in December 2023, was found guilty on all charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Anderson is eligible for a sentence of 45 years to life in prison. A sentencing hearing with Judge Chambers is scheduled for Oct. 27.
