A tragic case of domestic violence in Illinois has ended—for now—with a harsh prison sentence for the man responsible.
Deandre Ward, 24, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for shooting his ex-girlfriend in the back during a July 2024 altercation. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed the sentencing this week, saying Ward will serve his time in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The incident unfolded after a heated fight between the 22-year-old victim and another woman on East Virginia Avenue in Peoria. Authorities say that after the fight ended, the victim was attempting to flee when Ward opened fire, shooting her in the back. The bullet tore through her kidney and struck her spine, leaving her permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
The couple had reportedly broken up shortly before the shooting. During Wednesday’s emotional sentencing hearing, the unnamed victim described the devastating toll the shooting has taken on her life. “I can no longer perform daily basic tasks, such as bathing or using the restroom, without assistance,” she said, adding that she lives in constant pain, depends on a caregiver, and has been hospitalized multiple times in the past year. “I’ll never be the same,” she added.
Ward apologized in court, saying, “I’m sorry for the pain the last 11 months,” and asked not to be defined by that one moment. But the judge didn’t hold back, declaring that while Ward may want to move on, the victim will be defined by his actions for the rest of her life.
Ward received credit for nearly a year of time already served and must complete at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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