Brian Childers allegedly admitted to police during his interrogation that the gun found in his hotel room was the same gun he pointed at a police officer during a traffic stop. This is according to new documents from the Peoria Police Department (PPD) obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
The document reads, “Detective Cox conducted an interview with Childers. During subsequent interview Childers provided an admission that he was the occupant of the vehicle, and furthermore, did point a firearm at the Officer that stopped him. Childers advised that the handgun that was located on his person was the firearm used during the incident.”
As previously reported, on the morning of March 18th, 2024, Peoria police attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was 45-year-old Alabama resident Brian R. Childers. He allegedly ignored officer’ commands to pull over and drove away. Police later found the vehicle parked with Childers inside. The police claim Childers refused to exit the vehicle and allegedly displayed a handgun and pointed it at an officer. Again, Childers fled in his vehicle. Later, Childers was located at the Par-A-Dice hotel in East Peoria. Officers took him into custody. Police claim they located a firearm and illegal drugs on Childers’ person. Childers was subsequently arrested for Aggravated Assault on Peace officer, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Obstructing/Resisting police, Armed Violence, Possession of Meth, and multiple traffic violations. Childers was transported to the Peoria County jail.
Police and public officials were outraged when Childers was released pre-trial by Judge Mark Gilles who cited his lack of a criminal history. His pre-trial restrictions included: electronic monitoring, not leaving the state without court permission, refraining from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapons, not to possess or consume alcohol or illegal substances and submit to a random drug testing.
Childers was later re-arrested on March 22nd, 2024, when Tazewell County issued an arrest warrant. Importantly, this is not a new offense, but stems from the original incident. This appears to be a legal run around the pre-trial fairness act. Video of his second arrest at the Peoria County Courthouse can be viewed below.
Agitation Rising originally attempted to obtain documents and video for Childers’ first arrest; however, the request was denied citing “Disclosure would interfere with pending law enforcement proceedings.” Agitation Rising is currently appealing this decision with the Attorney General’s office. At no point did PPD state Childers’ confessed to the accusations against him.
Many of the documents received in the second FOIA request should have been released in the original request. PPD has still not released any footage of the original incident or footage from Childers’ interrogation proving their claims.
Tazewell County Judge Chris Doscotch remanded Childers to jail. He is currently awaiting trial in the Tazewell County Jail. Childers is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
UPDATED 04/12/2024.
