Teen charged in shooting at post-prom party that left victim partially paralyzed

A teenager has been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm in a shooting at an April post-prom party in Chillicothe.

Amari Smith-Holley, 16, was charged in the shooting in which an 18-year-old male was shot, according to a July 31 news release from the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.

Given Smith-Holley’s age and the charge, the case was automatically transferred to adult court, the release said. A detention hearing was held, and Smith-Holley will remain in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center until trial.

More: After-prom party shooting in Chillicothe may have had gang involvement, sheriff says

Just before 1 a.m. on April 28, 2024, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Valley Lakes Center on a report of shots fired. When deputies arrived, they found a male lying on the ground in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head.

The victim survived but is paralyzed on half of his body.

Deputies identified the victim as a member of the group “Jump Out Boys” and said they were feudingwith another group known as the “Snakes.”

In a combined effort with the Peoria Police Department, detectives used witness information and data from Smith-Holley’s cellphone and iCloud account to connect him to the shooting.

More: 'Clearly planned murder': Feud led to shooting death of Peoria teen, prosecutors say

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Teen charged in shooting at post-prom party that left victim partially paralyzed