Edward Russell Jr, 25

Peoria, Illinois
September 20, 2017

Agencies: Illinois State Police | Peoria Police Department Illinois

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Eddie Russell Jr.’s family led a protest through the streets of Peoria on Friday morning because they want answers.

“I just want the truth,” said Brooke Russell, the 25-year-old’s older sister, as about 40 people gathered in Martin Luther King Jr. Park before the noon-time march. “He never had a violent record, and he’s never been aggressive. He’s never harmed a soul, ever.”

The protest began just hours after Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood released the autopsy report on Russell, who was the suspect in the Wednesday afternoon armed robbery at First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust. He was shot later that day after a standoff that lasted more than two hours at his family home in the 2800 block of West Sheffield Drive.

Russell’s body had between 18 to 20 wounds, a number consistent with evidence collected at the scene indicating officers had fired 18 shots.

“Some of the wounds were exit wounds, so we can’t conclude that all 18 holes are from individual shots,” Harwood said.