17-year-old suspect in metro-east shooting to be tried as adult, judge rules

A Madison County judge ordered that a teenaged suspect in a fatal shooting near a metro-east school stand trial as an adult.

Jayvon R. Walton, 17, was charged Tuesday with one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons.

He initially faced charges in a delinquency petition filed in March with the Madison County court, where the maximum penalty would have been detention in a juvenile facility until he turned 21.

With the four felony charges, Walton now faces up to 30 years with the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office.

“We are absolutely committed to the safety of our schools and our students,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. “When young offenders choose to involve themselves in adult-level violence, we are prepared to ask the court to try them as adults.”

The charges stem from a Feb. 26 incident in which Alton Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of Central Avenue after gunshots were reported.

According to a release from the police department, an Alton School District bus was there dropping off students who attended evening classes. There were no injuries and the bus was not hit, but the charges allege that Walton, who was 16 at the time, fired multiple shots in the direction of another person with the intent to kill.

Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Voudrie argued successfully that the case be moved out of juvenile court. Associate Judge John Hacket ruled in her favor.

“The severity of these charges reflects our resolve to hold offenders accountable when their actions threaten student safety,” Haine said.