Peoria Man John Earl Nichols Convicted in Apartment Complex Shooting, Faces Up to 30 Years

A Peoria County jury found John Earl Nichols, 30, guilty Thursday of aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in connection with a shooting that injured a man at a South Peoria apartment complex last summer.

Nichols faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 15, according to Anna Perales of the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.

The Shooting at Cityscape Apartments

Officers were called to the Cityscape Apartments in the 600 block of West Romeo B. Garrett Avenue at about 8:45 p.m. on August 16, 2025, according to police and court records.

When they arrived, they found a 39-year-old man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to police and court records.

The victim initially told police that an unknown person tried to take his watch before shooting him.

That version of events changed during the trial, which began Tuesday.

Witness Testimony and Surveillance Video

A former resident of the complex testified that she saw Nichols fire the shots, according to court records. She told jurors she watched him flee the scene while pushing a man in a wheelchair.

Prosecutors showed jurors surveillance footage from the apartment complex that corroborated her testimony, according to court records. The video reportedly shows Nichols pushing the victim to the ground and shooting him before fleeing.

Prosecutors said the man in the wheelchair did not cooperate with the investigation.

What Comes Next

Nichols was convicted on two counts: Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 15. The judge has not yet announced what sentence Nichols will receive.

This is an evolving story. Updates will be filed as more information becomes available.