$2 million bond set for man accused of 4th of July homicide

PEORIA (25 News Now) - The man accused in the killing of Quinton Scott in the city’s 12th homicide of the year made his first court appearance Wednesday and received a $2 million bond.

Raekwon Pickett is accused of first-degree murder in the 19-year-old Scott’s death. The incident happened at Peoria’s Taft Homes the morning of July 4th.

In a Probable Cause Statement given in court Wednesday morning, prosecutors allege Pickett was visibly upset after Scott punched Pickett’s brother and quotes him saying, “He knocked out my brother. This n**** gotta die.” Prosecutors say after that, Picket shot Scott from behind.

Prosecutors say the events are backed up by multiple social media videos from witnesses showing him holding a silver and black Smith & Wesson that was recovered from the scene July 13.

Law enforcement accounts also show the bullet casings found at the scene are a preliminary match with the same gun. In addition, prosecutors say cell phone data has Pickett at the crime scene when it occurred.

The state asked for $2.5 million, citing Pickett as a flight risk. Prosecutors say Pickett fled to Galesburg immediately after the shooting, and then went on to Chicago before he bought a plane ticket to Houston on July 5. He was apparently there for about a month before returning to Central Illinois. He was arrested in Peoria Monday.

Pickett’s Public Defender asked for $100,000, 10% bond, citing his family and 2 kids in the area.

Judge Albert Purham agreed with flight risk concerns and set Pickett’s bond at $2 million. His next court appearance is September 22. If convicted, Pickett faces a prison sentence of up to 85 years and will serve no less than 20.

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