Suspect in East Peoria hammer, knife attack hospitalized, delaying detention hearing

TAZEWELL COUNTY (25News Now) - An attempted murder suspect arrested late last week after a police manhunt is hospitalized for an undisclosed reason, according to a document filed in Tazewell County Court.

Christopher Richerson, 52, is accused of attacking an elderly man with a hammer and knife at the victim’s East Peoria home on Thursday, causing a skull fracture and other injuries.

The judge did not rule Monday on the prosecution’s motion to keep Richerson in custody but scheduled an arraignment for May 21.

A search for Richerson ended early Friday when Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies found him in a garage on Kickapoo Creek Road.

A probable cause affidavit said Richerson entered a home through an unlocked door on North Main Street in East Peoria, continually yelling that he was going to kill the 72-year-old man.

The victim’s 80-year-old wife told authorities she saw Richerson swinging the hammer at her husband, who was bleeding from the side of his head and hand, the affidavit said.

Richerson allegedly demanded the keys to the man’s pickup truck, or else he would also harm the victim’s wife. He made his getaway in the Ford F-150, the court document said.

The victim suffered a skull fracture, bruises to his arms and shoulders, and had to get stiches in his head, the affidavit said.

The affidavit did not reveal a motive for the attack.

The Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Richerson with one count of attempted murder, and two counts each of home invasion, aggravated vehicular hijacking, and aggravated battery.

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