In the quiet of a Friday night in downtown Decatur, Ill., 17-year-old Tevon Beasley’s life came to a devastating end after gunfire rang out near a business on East Wood Street and Jasper Street. The call to the Decatur Police Department came just after 10 p.m.; officers arrived to find the teenager suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Medics rushed him to Decatur Memorial Hospital, but later he was pronounced dead.
On Monday morning the Macon County Coroner’s Office officially identified the victim as Tevon Beasley of Decatur. His death sent ripples of grief throughout his family, his friends, and the wider community.
In the investigation that followed, detectives moved quickly. Search warrants were executed at two residences in Decatur as part of the effort to piece together what happened. The police also say they obtained surveillance footage and interviewed multiple witnesses.
Within this intensive investigation, authorities arrested 19-year-old Nehemiah T. Meyers, also of Decatur, on a preliminary charge of first-degree murder. He was booked into the Macon County Jail where he remains while prosecutors review the case for formal charges.
At this point, authorities have not publicly disclosed a clear motive or detailed whether Beasley and Meyers had any prior relationship. The Decatur Police Department confirmed the investigation remains active and are continuing to study forensic evidence and the video material that was gathered.
In a statement, the Decatur Police Department extended deepest condolences to the family of Tevon Beasley and thanked community members who have already come forward with information. The department reiterated its commitment to delivering justice for the victim and his loved ones, while urging anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 217-424-2734 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477.
Local leaders and residents across Decatur have responded with sorrow and solidarity, sharing condolences and praying for the Beasley family. While police believe this incident was isolated, they noted the importance of the public’s cooperation to ensure the investigation reaches its full resolution. Funeral arrangements for Tevon Beasley will be handled privately as his family grieves this heartbreaking loss.
In the face of such a tragic event, the call is clear: community safety, youth support, and vigilance cannot wait. Decatur mourns the loss of a young life with so much ahead, and now the investigation moves forward in hopes that answers — and accountability — will bring something close to closure.
