Two juveniles arrested in connection to fatal shooting of Springfield teenager Keyon Day

Two Springfield juveniles have been charged with first-degree murder in the April 24 shooting death of Keyon Day.

It comes a day after Day's funeral at Union Baptist Church.

Day was shot while walking to Southeast High School on Taylor Avenue across from Dreamland Park.

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According to Springfield Police, Dremone Patterson, 16, is alleged to have fired the shots that killed Day using a stolen firearm. That firearm had been recovered, Deputy Chief Sara Pickford acknowledged.

Patterson, who has a known gang affiliation, has been charged as an adult.

In addition to the murder charge, Patterson was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a street gang member.

A 15-year-old driver of one of the vehicles at the shooting scene is charged with first-degree murder under accountability.

He was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a street gang member and obstructing justice for attempting to dispose of the firearm.

Both Patterson and the 15-year-old, said Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser, were being detained on unrelated offenses.

Patterson has a first court hearing and pre-trial detention hearing in Sangamon County court at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Milhiser said under Illinois law, once a person reaches the age of 16, there is "an automatic transfer" to adult court for certain charges, including murder.

For persons under 16, the transfer, Milhiser said, is "discretionary."

Milhiser said he has already filed a petition to have the 15-year-old transferred to adult court. A hearing on that petition will be held within 30 days, Milhiser said.

The 15-year-old will remain in custody, Milhiser added.

Milhiser did not disclose where Patterson or the 15-year-old were being held. The Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center on South Dirksen Parkway has been closed since the Sept. 30 shooting of a teenager by a Springfield Police officer. The teen was brandishing a weapon.

SPD had questioned seven juveniles in two different vehicles in connection to the shooting.

Milhiser said additional arrests are likely.

This story will be updated.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Two juveniles charged in fatal shooting of Springfield teen Keyon Day