Suspect in custody after mother fatally shot, 2-year-old son found dead in burning car

PEORIA, Ill. (WEEK/Gray News) - Authorities in Illinois say a man is in custody after a mother and her 2-year-old son were killed in what is believed to have been a domestic violence incident.

Heaven J. Wood, 20, and her 2-year-old son, KJ Duncan-Wood, were found dead early Friday when Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a car fire then made a welfare check at a nearby home. The two were victims of domestic violence, authorities say.

“This day was nothing short of tragic for Ms. Wood and her son,” said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood in a statement.

Wood was found inside the Peoria County home with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Harwood. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

First responders who put out the car fire found Wood’s son dead inside. He suffered severe smoke inhalation from the fire and “likely passed away moments after the fire was started,” Harwood said.

Authorities say a preliminary investigation indicated the car had been driven away from the area of the shooting before crashing. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the fire had been intentionally set.

Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies and Peoria Police took 24-year-old Jeremiah Duncan into custody shortly after 12 p.m. Friday. Sheriff Chris Watkins said Duncan was armed with a knife at the time and was suffering from serious burns.

The sheriff says Duncan is being treated at an “undisclosed medical facility.” The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office is expected to file formal charges against him.

“Days like today are a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have on families and our entire community,” Watkins said in a statement.

Watkins and Harwood were not able to confirm whether the toddler who was killed was Duncan’s son.

Harwood urges anyone who knows a victim of domestic abuse or is in an unsafe situation with a domestic partner to call the Center for Prevention of Abuse’s crisis hotline at 1-800-559-SAFE (7233).