Two Dead in Early Morning Tragedy | Peoria News

Peoria News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 23, 2026 · 1m

Two lives lost in a violent early morning incident in Peoria County: 26-year-old Malik Pickett was shot and died at the hospital, while 58-year-old Gary Traylor was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle. Police responded to gunshots near Southwest Jefferson Street, where ShotSpotter detected 20 rounds fired. Officers pursued the suspect car, which then hit Traylor at the intersection of South Western Avenue and West Howett Street before crashing into a utility pole. Two occupants were hospitalized; a firearm was recovered. Another man arrived at the hospital with a leg wound, claiming he was…