Bloomington man arrested in connection to New Year’s Eve shooting; Police still looking for suspect

Posted on January 3, 2020
NPD
Normal Police said the homicide is still an active and ongoing investigation. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Police are updating an investigation into a deadly shooting New Year’s Eve in northwest Normal.

Garrett Ahlfield, 18, of Bloomington, was arrested for acts related to the incident, but were not the cause of the homicide, according to Normal Police in a news release Friday.

The shooting at Heartland Village, an apartment complex just south of Heartland Community College, killed Tariq Houston, 17, of Springfield.

Police said video evidence from the scene, along with other physical evidence, showed that a short time after Houston was shot, a second individual, later identified as Ahlfield, approached a group surrounding the victim, some of who were rendering aid.  Authorities said Ahlfield showed a gun as he walked up to the crowd and proceeded to fire five rounds into the air and then fled the area on foot.

Ahlfield is being held in the McLean County Jail on a $300,000 cash bond and faces several charges.

Authorities said the homicide remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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