Peoria man faces life in prison for 2022 carjacking that left the victim seriously hurt

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Peoria County jury deliberated for about 30 minutes before finding a man guilty of a carjacking that occurred almost two years ago.

Patrick W. Meyer, 26, was found guilty of aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the Dec. 14, 2022, incident at the Shell gas station in the 1900 block of North Knoxville Avenue.

His bond was revoked and he will remain in custody at the Peoria County Jail pending his sentencing on Nov. 25 where he faces up to life in prison.

During the three-day trial, witnesses said that a man had stopped at the gas station, and while he was in the car, a masked person, Meyer, approached armed with a gun and forced him out of his car. Meyer then shot the victim six times, took his vehicle, and left him for dead.

The man’s daughter was in the car. The man survived but underwent multiple surgeries and still has a bullet lodged in his hip.

“This guy approaches a complete stranger pumping gas, pulls him from his car, shoots him six times, then steals his car and leaves him for dead. My office will do everything in its power to leave him in prison,” said Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi M. Hoos.

Detectives learned about Meyer as a suspect due to multiple different surveillance videos and
witness statements.

A witness led detectives to the gun used in the shooting that Meyer had stashed behind a shed in his friend’s yard. Forensic testing confirmed the shell casings recovered from the shooting came from that gun.

When police questioned Meyer, he admitted to owning the gun that was used in the shooting and ditching the vehicle after stealing it when it broke down.

Still, he claimed he was under the influence of drugs and could not remember the hijacking and shooting, according to court records.

This story will be updated.

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